Few days ago, the Middle Technical University (MTU) of Baghdad, Iraq, especially its Polytechnic Engineering College, invited Blue Community Networker Roland Brunner for an online-lecture to introduce the Blue Community (see here). The very next day already, MTU communicated its commitment to become a Blue Community and join the global network as an affiliate to the Blue University cluster. The Blue Community is delighted and proud to designate and welcome the University.
MTU is a forward-thinking community of medical technicians, artists, engineers, designers, and business administrators who participate in projects and research that address urgent environmental challenges. In 2024, MTU achieved a significant milestone by being ranked as the 653th world’s most sustainable university in UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. This remarkable recognition underscores MTU’s steadfast commitment to sustainability. Focuss topics at MTU are Desertification and Health & Community.
The University counts 5900 staff, more than 40’000 undergraduate students, 800 postgraduates. It offers 146 specialisations in 11 colleges and 9 institutions. MTU actively empowers women by fostering a supportive educational environment that promotes their excellence in science, engineering, and technology. The university encourages female students to engage in innovative projects, develop critical thinking, and take on leadership roles through training programs that enhance their confidence and skills for future leadership positions.
MTU President Prof. Dr. Wadhah Amer Hatem states:
«Progress resonates in the laboratories of technical minds that see opportunities in society’s most critical challenges, illuminating paths to innovation and advancement. At the intersection of theory and practice, technical education empowers students to weave the intellectual fabric of our nation and navigate the complexities of our increasingly technical and interconnected world to provide solutions.»
Key Additions Enhancing MTU’s Regional Leadership and Technological Innovation
1-With this milestone, the Middle Technical University (MTU) officially becomes the first university in Iraq and the Middle East to achieve the ‘Blue University’ designation, paving the way for academic institutions across the MENA region to champion global water rights.”
2-The Water Resources Techniques Department at the Polytechnic College for Engineering Specialties served as the academic and technical driving force behind this initiative, spearheading the integration of digital water management and nature-based strategies to protect the Tigris River.
3-Prof. Muntasir Alshareef, expert in Water Resources and Environmental Engineering at MTU, stated:
«Our commitment to the Blue Community is a profound step toward utilizing advanced technologies, such as AI and IoT, alongside Nature-based Solutions (NbS). We aim to transform our engineering college into a living laboratory that directly contributes to the sustainability and eco-restoration of the historic Tigris River in Baghdad.»
4-We will provide high-resolution copies of the official co-signed certificate, photos of the college’s water facilities, and screenshots from our successful online collaborative lecture with Mr. Roland Brunner to be featured alongside the article.)
MTU initiated the framework for the “Digital Tigris Lab” (مختبر دجلة الرقمي) project, which applies smart sensors to monitor river health. MTU has consistently advocated for eco-friendly practices in regional water management and states: «Our goal is to pioneer Nature-based Solutions (NbS) to restore river ecosystems and prevent bank erosion. We plan to build a physical and digital laboratory model for the Tigris River, train students on smart eco-hydrology, and share our open-source research with the global Blue Community network to showcase how technical universities can protect local rivers.»
In its commitment to the Blue Community, MTU writes:
«MTU is committed to the principles of the Blue Community: recognizing water as a human right, keeping water services public, reducing single-use plastic bottles on campus, and promoting public-public partnerships.»
MTU has actively been promoting the Blue Community pledge 1, the human right to water and sanitation. It organized a comprehensive seminar «Water Legacy: From Traditional Management to Comprehensive Sustainability» to educate students and stakeholders on sustainable water management and the ethical, human right to clean water. MTU declares: «Our goal is to integrate the ‹Human Right to Water› concept into our engineering curricula. We plan to host regular public webinars and awareness campaigns focusing on water security, ensuring our future engineers design projects with equitable water access in mind.»
Also on the Blue Community pledge 2, the promotion of publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services, the MTU was active. It maintained close academic and technical coordination with local public authorities, such as the Ministry of Water Resources and local municipalities, providing engineering consultations to support public infrastructure. And MTU states: «Our goal is to strengthen Public-Public Partnerships (PUPs). We plan to develop joint research and applied technical workshops with Baghdad’s public water and wastewater departments, offering smart engineering solutions (like AI and IoT monitoring) to enhance the efficiency of publicly managed systems and prevent privatization.»
And yet on the Blue Community pledge 3, the promotion of safe public drinking water everywhere to end the need for bottled water, MTU has a record, as it conducted initial research and student projects on water purification and smart monitoring models to ensure safe drinking water standards. And MTU commits: «Our goal is to phase out single-use plastic bottles on campus. We plan to design and install advanced, eco-friendly public water refilling stations across our college facilities, encouraging students and faculty to rely safely on public tap water and establishing our campus as a ‹Plastic-Free Blue Zone›.»
Blue Community co-founder Maude Barlow congratulates the MTU to all achievements and to its commitment to the Blue Community:
«We are delighted to welcome MTU to the Blue Community and to the ranks of the Blue Universities. Following 20 Blue Universities in the Americas and Europe, MTU is opening the door to the East, for a Blue Community that includes educational institutions from the MENA region and Asia. MTU has long-standing experience in a water-scarce region. MTU will contribute the knowledge and experience of a country badly affected by climate change and its consequences for water. Welcome MTU! We look forward to exchanging ideas and cooperating with you.»
Visit the Middle Technical University in Baghdad, Iraq, online.
