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Copyright (c) 2026 وداد حماد مخلف الفهداوي (Author)

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The Academic Geopolitics of the Bologna Process in Iraq: From Educational Reform to a Tool of European Influence
Corresponding Author(s) : Wedad hammad
Journal of Al-Mubadara,
Vol. 5 No. 1 (2026)
Abstract
In modern academic literature, the concept of global governance (Global Governance Theory) has been fundamentally redefined, especially since the mid-2010s. This shift is primarily due to structural transformations in the nature of international relations and the increasing influence of non-governmental actors and supranational institutions in shaping educational, economic, and cultural policies in developing countries. The state is no longer the sole actor in the international system; rather, a multi-level network of actors has emerged. This includes international organizations such as the World Bank and UNESCO, regional organizations like the European Union, and non-governmental entities such as global academic institutions and accreditation and quality assurance networks. Similarly, Multi-Level Governance Theory, first developed in the late 1990s, has since been updated and expanded through a number of studies focusing on policy integration between states and within transnational institutions, particularly in the context of the European Union. Policy-making is no longer confined exclusively within the boundaries of the nation-state but has become distributed across multiple levels of governance, including the local, national, and regional levels—and in cases like the European Union, the supranational level.
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- أولًا: المصادر العربية
- العزاوي، ف. (2022). "تحديات تطبيق بولونيا في الجامعات العراقية: دراسة حالة جامعة بغداد". مجلة التعليم العالي الدولي، 14(3)، 116-130.
- الزبيدي، م. (2023). "التدويل في التعليم العالي العراقي: فرص وتحديات". مجلة بحوث التعليم العالي، 17(2)، 101-114.
- حسن، ج. (2022). "الهيكل الأكاديمي وتطبيق بولونيا في الجامعات العراقية: تحليل مقارن". مجلة الدراسات الجامعية، 19(1)، 71-85.
- عبد الجبار، م. (2023). "التعليم العالي والتحولات المعرفية في العراق ما بعد 2003". مجلة قضايا تربوية، 11(1)، 65–80.
- نسرين حسين. (2022). "إصلاح التعليم العالي في العراق: بين التدويل ومتطلبات السوق".
- يوسف أحمد. (2023). "دراسة تحليلية لتبني نظام بولونيا في الجامعات العراقية".
- o وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي العراقية – قسم ضمان الجودة: الوثيقة المنشورة حول اعتماد نظام ECTS ضمن الإطار الأوروبي في بعض الجامعات.
- o uobaghdad.edu.iq – مسار بولونيا
- o uomustansiriyah.edu.iq – قسم ضمان الجودة
- ثانيًا: المصادر الأجنبية
- Al-Husseini, S., & Elbeltagi, I. (2016). Evaluating the strategic role of universities in knowledge economy in developing countries: The case of Iraq. International Journal of Educational Management, 30(6), 1127–1145.
- Altbach, P. G., & de Wit, H. (2018). Internationalization in Higher Education: Global Trends and Recommendations for Policy and Practice. Center for International Higher Education.
- APPRAIS Project. (2022). Report on Bologna Process Implementation at Kurdish HEIs. Retrieved from https://www.appraisproject.eu
- APPRAIS Project. (2022). Report on Bologna Process implementation at Kurdish Higher Education Institutions. Retrieved from https://www.appraisproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/APPRAIS_Report-on-BP-implementation-at-Kurdish-HEIs.pdf
- Cihan University-Erbil. (2025). Implementation of the Bologna Process at Cihan University. Retrieved from https://bologna.cihanuniversity.edu.iq
- Dolowitz, D. P., & Marsh, D. (2000). Learning from Abroad: The Role of Policy Transfer in Contemporary Policy-Making. Governance, 13(1), 5–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/0952-1895.00121
- European Commission. (2020). The European Higher Education Area in 2020: Bologna Process Implementation Report. Retrieved from https://education.ec.europa.eu
- EUA – European University Association. (2015). Bologna Process Implementation Report.
- Haddad, A., & Al Shboul, M. (2020). Implementing Learning Outcomes in Curriculum Design: Bridging the Gap Towards a Bologna Model. Journal of Educational Development, 18(3), 45–60.
- Lange, S. (2020). Rebuilding Higher Education in Post-Conflict Societies. International Review of Education, 66(3), 385–402.
- Marginson, S. (2020). High Participation Systems of Higher Education. Oxford University Press.
- Oleksiyenko, A. (2021). Globalization and the University: Realities and Options. Palgrave Macmillan.
- Rauhvargers, A. (2011). Global University Rankings and Their Impact. European University Association.
- ResearchGate. (2025). The Bologna Process and its Relevance to the EFL Context in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Universities: Views from Academia and Administration. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395595918
- Said, E., & Sammond, N. (2019). Education and Empire: Globalization and the Politics of Knowledge. Routledge.
- Shahjahan, R. A., Estera, A. L., & Surla, K. L. (2021). Coloniality and Internationalization of Higher Education. Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education, 13(1), 150–165.
- Sharif, K. (2025). Challenges Facing Quality Assurance in Iraqi Universities. Journal of Higher Education Development Studies, 12(3), 44–58.
- Shawa, L. (2021). Education Reform under Foreign Aid Dependency: Iraq’s Higher Education Dilemma. Comparative Education Review, 65(1), 60–75.
- Slaughter, S., & Rhoades, G. (2016). Academic Capitalism and the New Economy: Markets, State, and Higher Education. Johns Hopkins University Press.
- Teichler, U. (2019). The Internationalization of Higher Education: Issues, Trends, and Debates. Springer.
- Teixeira, P. N., & Koryakina, T. (2017). Reforming Higher Education: Bologna and Beyond. Springer.
- Times Higher Education. (2023). How the Bologna Process is influencing higher education systems globally. Retrieved from https://timeshighereducation.com
- UNESCO. (2022). Supporting the Implementation of Bologna Principles in the Arab Region. Retrieved from https://unesco.org
- University of Basrah. (2025). Workshop on implementing Bologna system in higher education. Retrieved from https://en.cab.uobasrah.edu.iq/news/36957
- Verger, A., Novelli, M., & Altinyelken, H. K. (2018). Global Education Policy and International Development: New Agendas, Issues and Policies. Bloomsbury.
- Wagner, F. (2021). Higher Education in the Global South: Challenges of Bologna's Impact. Oxford University Press.
- Woldegiyorgis, G. (2021). Aligning Curriculum with Learning Outcomes: The Shift towards Competency-Based Education in Higher Education Institutions. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(4), 125–140.
- World Bank. (2019). Iraq Education Sector Analysis Report.
References
أولًا: المصادر العربية
العزاوي، ف. (2022). "تحديات تطبيق بولونيا في الجامعات العراقية: دراسة حالة جامعة بغداد". مجلة التعليم العالي الدولي، 14(3)، 116-130.
الزبيدي، م. (2023). "التدويل في التعليم العالي العراقي: فرص وتحديات". مجلة بحوث التعليم العالي، 17(2)، 101-114.
حسن، ج. (2022). "الهيكل الأكاديمي وتطبيق بولونيا في الجامعات العراقية: تحليل مقارن". مجلة الدراسات الجامعية، 19(1)، 71-85.
عبد الجبار، م. (2023). "التعليم العالي والتحولات المعرفية في العراق ما بعد 2003". مجلة قضايا تربوية، 11(1)، 65–80.
نسرين حسين. (2022). "إصلاح التعليم العالي في العراق: بين التدويل ومتطلبات السوق".
يوسف أحمد. (2023). "دراسة تحليلية لتبني نظام بولونيا في الجامعات العراقية".
o وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي العراقية – قسم ضمان الجودة: الوثيقة المنشورة حول اعتماد نظام ECTS ضمن الإطار الأوروبي في بعض الجامعات.
o uobaghdad.edu.iq – مسار بولونيا
o uomustansiriyah.edu.iq – قسم ضمان الجودة
ثانيًا: المصادر الأجنبية
Al-Husseini, S., & Elbeltagi, I. (2016). Evaluating the strategic role of universities in knowledge economy in developing countries: The case of Iraq. International Journal of Educational Management, 30(6), 1127–1145.
Altbach, P. G., & de Wit, H. (2018). Internationalization in Higher Education: Global Trends and Recommendations for Policy and Practice. Center for International Higher Education.
APPRAIS Project. (2022). Report on Bologna Process Implementation at Kurdish HEIs. Retrieved from https://www.appraisproject.eu
APPRAIS Project. (2022). Report on Bologna Process implementation at Kurdish Higher Education Institutions. Retrieved from https://www.appraisproject.eu/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/APPRAIS_Report-on-BP-implementation-at-Kurdish-HEIs.pdf
Cihan University-Erbil. (2025). Implementation of the Bologna Process at Cihan University. Retrieved from https://bologna.cihanuniversity.edu.iq
Dolowitz, D. P., & Marsh, D. (2000). Learning from Abroad: The Role of Policy Transfer in Contemporary Policy-Making. Governance, 13(1), 5–23. https://doi.org/10.1111/0952-1895.00121
European Commission. (2020). The European Higher Education Area in 2020: Bologna Process Implementation Report. Retrieved from https://education.ec.europa.eu
EUA – European University Association. (2015). Bologna Process Implementation Report.
Haddad, A., & Al Shboul, M. (2020). Implementing Learning Outcomes in Curriculum Design: Bridging the Gap Towards a Bologna Model. Journal of Educational Development, 18(3), 45–60.
Lange, S. (2020). Rebuilding Higher Education in Post-Conflict Societies. International Review of Education, 66(3), 385–402.
Marginson, S. (2020). High Participation Systems of Higher Education. Oxford University Press.
Oleksiyenko, A. (2021). Globalization and the University: Realities and Options. Palgrave Macmillan.
Rauhvargers, A. (2011). Global University Rankings and Their Impact. European University Association.
ResearchGate. (2025). The Bologna Process and its Relevance to the EFL Context in the Iraqi Kurdistan Region Universities: Views from Academia and Administration. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/395595918
Said, E., & Sammond, N. (2019). Education and Empire: Globalization and the Politics of Knowledge. Routledge.
Shahjahan, R. A., Estera, A. L., & Surla, K. L. (2021). Coloniality and Internationalization of Higher Education. Journal of Comparative and International Higher Education, 13(1), 150–165.
Sharif, K. (2025). Challenges Facing Quality Assurance in Iraqi Universities. Journal of Higher Education Development Studies, 12(3), 44–58.
Shawa, L. (2021). Education Reform under Foreign Aid Dependency: Iraq’s Higher Education Dilemma. Comparative Education Review, 65(1), 60–75.
Slaughter, S., & Rhoades, G. (2016). Academic Capitalism and the New Economy: Markets, State, and Higher Education. Johns Hopkins University Press.
Teichler, U. (2019). The Internationalization of Higher Education: Issues, Trends, and Debates. Springer.
Teixeira, P. N., & Koryakina, T. (2017). Reforming Higher Education: Bologna and Beyond. Springer.
Times Higher Education. (2023). How the Bologna Process is influencing higher education systems globally. Retrieved from https://timeshighereducation.com
UNESCO. (2022). Supporting the Implementation of Bologna Principles in the Arab Region. Retrieved from https://unesco.org
University of Basrah. (2025). Workshop on implementing Bologna system in higher education. Retrieved from https://en.cab.uobasrah.edu.iq/news/36957
Verger, A., Novelli, M., & Altinyelken, H. K. (2018). Global Education Policy and International Development: New Agendas, Issues and Policies. Bloomsbury.
Wagner, F. (2021). Higher Education in the Global South: Challenges of Bologna's Impact. Oxford University Press.
Woldegiyorgis, G. (2021). Aligning Curriculum with Learning Outcomes: The Shift towards Competency-Based Education in Higher Education Institutions. International Journal of Higher Education, 10(4), 125–140.
World Bank. (2019). Iraq Education Sector Analysis Report.