Overview of the Scientific Division and Its Affiliations
The Scientific Division is regarded as one of the most essential supporting divisions of the educational process. It is responsible for enhancing the academic environment by advancing the scientific qualifications of faculty members through the promotion process and postgraduate studies—both of which are among the division’s top priorities. Furthermore, the division oversees the academic activities of the teaching staff, organizes conferences, symposia, and discussion seminars in coordination with the relevant academic departments, and manages specialized training programs, community courses, and the review and development of curricula and course syllabi.
Vision
In alignment with the vision of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, the Scientific Division has adopted a vision aimed at achieving the university’s goals by emphasizing and supporting high-quality scientific research that meets international standards, contributes to global academic rankings, and fulfills the needs of society, governmental institutions, and the private sector. The division also strives to encourage diverse scientific activities to sustain the momentum of research and publication, develop researchers’ skills, and oversee various academic affairs.
Mission
The Scientific Division aspires to serve as a platform for the university’s intellectual and scientific output by formulating academic plans and programs through coordination with all departments. It serves as a cornerstone for exploring and keeping pace with emerging areas of knowledge and facilitating the development of faculty performance in a well-planned and systematic manner. The division seeks to provide a supportive research environment that promotes distinguished scientific production, enriches knowledge, and disseminates it by fostering the academic and professional capacities of faculty members to parallel scientific advancements worldwide.
Objectives of the Scientific Division
- Strengthen and solidify the university’s scientific research output, uphold research ethics, and ensure the provision of the necessary material and moral requirements.
- Encourage and motivate academic and research staff to elevate the level of research performance within the university.
- Foster scientific communication and cultivate strong relationships with universities, research centers, governmental institutions, and scientific and cultural associations to enhance cooperation.
- Develop academic staff through constructive training programs with prestigious international universities, encouraging scientific sabbaticals to conduct high-level research and transfer modern technologies to our institutions.
- Identify and keep pace with developments in scientific and cognitive fields while enhancing faculty members’ research and academic capabilities.
- Promote innovative scientific activities within the university, standardize documentation of all academic events (such as conferences, seminars, workshops, and symposia), and ensure their outcomes are followed up and disseminated to maximize benefit.
- Support, encourage, and monitor the university’s distinguished intellectual output, including publications, studies, and patents, as well as other outstanding scientific achievements.
Subdivisions of the Scientific Division
1. Continuing Education Unit — Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare an annual plan for the continuing education program to train staff members for the upcoming year using a predesigned template.
- Distribute the training program form to academic departments according to specialization, program title, date, main topics, expected number of participants, and proposed fees.
- Obtain university approval for the plan and distribute it to academic departments to begin preparations for implementing the training program.
- Complete the implementation or postponement forms as required.
- Follow up on the implementation of training programs throughout the academic year.
- Submit quarterly progress reports in accordance with the annual work plan.
- Monitor ongoing courses, record daily attendance with signatures using a designated form, and submit daily reports of instructors and participants.
- Issue official orders for the commencement and completion of training programs and record participants’ results.
- Issue administrative orders for financial disbursement to course lecturers.
2. Curricular Training Unit — Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate with the University’s Curricular Training Division regarding all training-related matters.
- Correspond with public and private sector institutions to secure training placements for students.
- Supervise students enrolled in training programs and assign faculty members to training sites, ensuring equitable scientific supervision with the assistance of technical staff.
- Coordinate with colleges and institutes in other provinces to arrange training for students who wish to train outside the governorate, as well as receive students from other institutions for training within the college’s geographical area.
- Coordinate with summer training committees in academic departments for student distribution and issue administrative orders accordingly.
- Hold regular meetings with departmental training subcommittees to discuss and evaluate the summer training plan.
- Issue administrative orders assigning academic and practical supervisors to training sites.
- Consolidate monthly reports from academic departments regarding summer training progress and present them to the Dean for submission to the university.
- Prepare the annual summer training report and submit it to the University’s Scientific Affairs Department / Training Division.
- Ensure the submission of each student’s summer training report, duly verified by academic and practical supervisors.
- Prepare and follow up on the annual scientific field visit plan.
3. University Statistics Unit — Duties and Responsibilities
- Prepare and follow up on annual and semiannual statistical reports in coordination with the university.
- Prepare forms related to the annual student admission plan and coordinate their approval with the university.
- Monitor and update the database of academic, technical, and administrative staff according to the administrative orders issued by the college.
4. Graduate Studies Follow-up Unit
- Develop programs and plans for postgraduate study scholarships both inside and outside Iraq.
- Monitor postgraduate students pursuing studies within and outside Iraq.
- Issue administrative orders for employees granted study leave, either by the university or the college, in accordance with delegated authority, specifying the commencement date as the official start of studies.
- Open a study file for each employee enrolled in postgraduate studies upon completion of the required documents.
- Send periodic progress reports on postgraduate students (domestic and abroad) to the university and maintain communication to assess their needs.
- Follow up on the expiration of study leave and ensure timely extensions where necessary by issuing a supplementary contract for the same period.
5. Career Development, Employment, and Alumni Follow-up Unit
- Prepare training plans, courses, and workshops for graduating students and alumni to equip them psychologically, intellectually, and professionally for employment opportunities.
- Introduce students to key English terminology relevant to job interviews.
- Register graduates’ names, specializations, and contact information, and assign tracking numbers for follow-up.
- Develop students’ and graduates’ skills in writing professional résumés (CVs).
- Communicate with private sector companies and invite them to participate in scientific and intellectual exhibitions organized by the college and the university, presenting their practical challenges to find suitable academic solutions and create employment opportunities for graduates.
- Coordinate with international institutions to obtain grants for projects proposed by faculty members and graduates.