Under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, and under the supervision of the esteemed President of the University of Baghdad, Professor Dr. Baha Ibrahim Ensaf, and with the follow-up of the Dean of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad, Professor Dr. Salwa Jaber Al-Awadi, the Sixth International Scientific Conference of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies kicked off in its sixth edition at the Al-Hakim Hall at the University of Baghdad, in cooperation with Al-Farahidi University.
The conference was attended by the President and members of the University of Baghdad Council, along with a large number of government officials at the executive, legislative, security, and local levels. It also welcomed a significant number of Iraqi, Arab, and international academics, researchers, and specialists from various Iraqi universities and institutions in the health, agricultural, and industrial sectors, among others.
The conference opened with the Iraqi national anthem performed by the Iraqi Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Iraqi musician Rana Jassim Obeid. This was followed by the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by the reader of the Al-Kadhimiya Holy Shrine, Sheikh Hammam Adnan.
The conference aims to enhance communication among scientists and academics to exchange knowledge and share research findings in various scientific fields related to molecular and biological medicine. It also provides a specialized scientific platform for presenting the latest scientific developments and applications, particularly in the fields of diagnostics and treatment. Moreover, the conference seeks to discuss the scientific challenges facing the biomedical and biosustainability sectors and to explore innovative solutions that have been developed and implemented over specific time periods.
The conference included several key themes, namely: Human Molecular Genetics, Agricultural Biotechnology, Microbial Genetics, Biotechnology and Sustainable Development, Forensic Science, and Bioinformatics.
The President of the University of Baghdad, Professor Dr. Baha Ibrahim Ensaf, delivered a special speech on the occasion, in which he congratulated the Institute of Genetic Engineering on holding the conference and emphasized the importance of universities engaging in sustainable development. Dr. Ensaf stressed the significance of scientific research as the foundation of successful education.
He pointed out that Iraqi universities, including the University of Baghdad, have achieved qualitative leaps in scientific research across various specializations, expressing the importance of multiplying successes to help advance science. He also noted the university’s ambitious projects, which have begun with ministry support, to establish the first science park aimed at transforming theoretical knowledge into production.
Dr. Ensaf praised the alignment of the conference themes with the directions of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, particularly in supporting advanced disciplines such as genetic engineering and biotechnology. He affirmed that these fields play a central role in shaping the strategies of modern nations and contribute to achieving sustainable development goals.
In her speech during the conference, the Dean of the Institute of Genetic Engineering, Professor Dr. Salwa Jaber Al-Awadi, expressed her pride in the active participation of Arab and international researchers in the conference. Dr. Al-Awadi stated that this year witnessed broad participation in the conference, with 122 local and international scientific research papers, 27 patents, and 14 scientific posters, reflecting the richness of the experience and the growing awareness of the importance of scientific research as a pillar of progress and advancement.
Dr. Al-Awadi emphasized the commitment to the path of knowledge and the determination to transform challenges into opportunities and knowledge into impact. She expressed her gratitude and appreciation to everyone who contributed to the success of this scientific event, especially the presidency of the University of Baghdad, Al-Farahidi University, the organizing committees, the University of Warith Al-Anbiyaa, Al-Kindy College of Medicine, the Agricultural Research Department at the Ministry of Agriculture, as well as private sector companies.
During the conference, special videos were presented about the University of Baghdad, the Institute of Genetic Engineering, and Al-Farahidi University, highlighting their contributions to supplying Iraq with researchers and scientists in a field that is considered rare at the national level.
