The College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Baghdad hosted the launch ceremony of the National Programmatic Standards, organized by the National Council for the Accreditation of Physical Education and Sports Science Programs. The event was attended by Professor Dr. Salah Hadi Saleh, Head of the Scientific Supervision and Evaluation Authority; Professor Dr. Sabah Qasim Khalaf, Dean of the College of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at the University of Baghdad; Professor Dr. Haitham Mohammed Kazem, Chairman of the Accreditation Council; along with several council members and deans of colleges of physical education and sports sciences from various universities.
In his address, the Head of the Scientific Supervision and Evaluation Authority emphasized the importance of fostering an academic spirit among youth and encouraging faculty members to adhere to national standards. He also highlighted the need for continuous program revision through regular updates and eliminations, as well as the necessity of holding periodic meetings to stay abreast of new developments. Additionally, he stressed the importance of evaluating the performance of academic staff.
The event aimed to underscore the significance of national programmatic standards in enhancing and improving the quality of physical education and sports science programs in Iraq. It also sought to encourage educational institutions to adopt and implement these standards in their academic programs.
The ceremony featured an explanation of the strategic planning behind the program, which comprises six academic standards aligned with global benchmarks while considering the local Iraqi context. These standards serve as a strategic tool and a fundamental pillar of excellence.
The national programmatic standards act as a primary reference for educational institutions in designing and implementing physical education and sports science programs. They establish the minimum requirements that such programs must meet to ensure their quality and relevance to labor market needs.
This initiative contributes to achieving one of the Sustainable Development Goals, specifically Goal 4, which advocates for quality education, as well as Goal 17, which emphasizes partnerships to achieve these objectives.
