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Post Anniversary Meeting
On March 6th, 2025, the National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges in Iraq held a regular meeting to discuss post-anniversary recommendations. The meeting addressed key points raised by the president of WFME, Prof. Ricardo Leon Boreques, and WFME assessor, Prof. Ismael Matalka. Both emphasized the era of post-recognition and highlighted the importance of continuous quality improvement, the effects of accreditation on transforming medical education, and the role of innovation and technology in medical education. This meeting had been attended by Students representative in the council The meeting also addressed the eligibility decision for the College of Medicine/ Ibn Sienna University for Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Workshop on Accreditation Practices
Workshop on Accreditation ProcessesBaghdad, Iraq – February 20, 2025 – The National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) marked the first anniversary of its recognition by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) with a specialized workshop to enhance the capacity of national assessors.Workshop on Strengthening Accreditation PracticesThe workshop focused on two key areas crucial to the accreditation process:Enhancing the quality of Site Visit Reports (SVR) to ensure consistency, clarity, and alignment with international accreditation standards.Improving document indexing to streamline the accreditation review process and enhance efficiency.The training, led by experienced assessors and accreditation experts, provided practical guidance on standardized reporting, documentation best practices, and common pitfalls in accreditation reviews.
NCAMC Celebrates First Anniversary of WFME Recognition with Distinguished Guests
Baghdad, Iraq – February 20, 2025 – The National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) marked the first anniversary of its prestigious recognition by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) with a grand celebration attended by key international figures in medical education.The event, held on February 20, 2025, brought together prominent stakeholders in medical education, including Professor Ricardo León Bórquez, President of WFME, and Professor Ismail Ibrahim Matalka, WFME Assessor, who played a significant role in the evaluation process leading to NCAMC’s recognition.
The Role of Medical Students as Principal Stakeholders in the Accreditation Process
Under the patronage of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, represented by the Apparatus for Supervision and Scientific Evaluation, the National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) successfully conducted a skill development course on “The Role of Medical Students as Principal Stakeholders in the Accreditation Process” on November 14th, 2024.The course, targeted at senior medical students (Stages 5 and 6), was held virtually on the Zoom platform. Lectures were delivered by NCAMC members and the Head of the National Accreditation Team (NAT).The event aimed to enhance students’ knowledge of the accreditation process and increase their awareness as principal stakeholders in improving the quality of medical education. Additionally, it informed students of their critical role in the Self-Assessment Study (SAS) process and their active involvement during site visits.
Enhancement of Accreditation Process in The Medical Colleges
On October 31, 2024, the National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges, in collaboration with Al-Ameed University, organized a workshop to enhance the capacity of self-assessment committees in recently established medical colleges and support their steps toward academic accreditation. The workshops cover a variety of topics that are of paramount importance in preparation for the accreditation process, including How to apply for accreditation Guideline on Writing the Self-assessment Report document indexing Best practice panel discussion
National Assessors Visit to Al Nahrain University /College of Medicine
As part of the academic accreditation process and in accordance with the policies and procedures of the Iraqi NCAMC, the National Assessors Team conducted a site visit to the College of Medicine at the University of Nahrain from October 20 to 23, 2024. The purpose of the visit was to evaluate the extent to which the college meets NCAMC`s academic accreditation standards and to review the documentation submitted to obtain the international academic accreditation certificate recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME). The visit involved examining the submitted documents and conducting a tour of the college to assess its infrastructure and make visual observations related to the educational process.
National Assessor Visit to Al Iraqi University /College of Medicine
The National Assessor Team visited the College of Medicine—Iraqi University from 14 to 17 October 2024 as part of the academic accreditation process. The team reviewed the documentation provided by the college across various accreditation criteria. They conducted field visits to different college facilities and affiliated teaching hospitals and model health centers approved by the college for student training. The team met with the College`s dean, faculty members, administrative staff, and students. They expressed satisfaction with the spirit of cooperation demonstrated by the college’s administration, faculty, and students.
National Assessors Visit to University of Basrah/College of Medicine
The College of Medicine at the University of Basra entered its second round of academic accreditation, having previously obtained conditional accreditation in May 2022. In line with NCAMC policy, the college re-applied for accreditation two years later. The accreditation team began its work, which culminated in a site visit from October 13 to 16, 2024, following a pre-agreed agenda. During this period, the team worked full-time, transitioning to part-time for two weeks to ensure they could complete their tasks thoroughly.
Student Selection Process
On September 5th and 12th, 2024, the National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) in Iraq will conduct interviews with student candidates from various medical colleges across the country. The purpose of these interviews is to select two exemplary students to become members of the NCAMC.
Quality Assurance Meeting
On August 22nd, 2024, the National Council convened a meeting featuring esteemed international expert and advisory board member Omar Mustafa. Dr. Mustafa, a consultant physician at King’s College Hospital and an honorary senior clinical lecturer at King’s College London, also serves as the Global Vice President of the Royal College of Physicians.
Meeting with International Expert
On June 27th, 2024, the National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges in Iraq hosted a meeting with International expert and members of the advisory board, including Professor Azim Mirzazadeh from the Department of Medicine and the Department of Medical Education at the School of Medicine, TUMS.
NCAMC meeting with Deans of Medical Colleges
On May 30, 2024, the NCAMC convened a crucial meeting with Deans of Medical Colleges to discuss its future plan. Key highlights include achieving WFME Recognition Status for a duration of 10 years, addressing the policy of eligibility for accreditation, outlining the application process for accreditation, emphasizing monitoring of accredited colleges through a progress report policy, and actively involving students in the accreditation process. These efforts contribute to enhancing medical education quality across Iraq
Capacity Enhancing Workshop Internal Quality Assurance
Capacity Enhancing Workshop " Internal Quality Assurance" The National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges held a workshop focused on enhancing the capacity of its members concerning internal quality assurance. During this workshop, Professor Abduladeem Al Barak, the advisory member for the NCAMC, presented the principles and procedures to improve the internal quality assurance system and how these procedures ultimately lead to improving the productivity of NCAMC. Most NCAMC members attended this workshop, in addition to Professor Yusra Abdullah, the Head of the Accreditation Department in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
Decision Meeting on Al-Qadisiyah College of Medicine
On May 9, 2024, the NCAMC accreditation decision board convened to finalize the accreditation stages of Al-Qadisiyah Medical College. The meeting was held over two sessions. In the first session, all nine areas were reviewed for their compliance with National Standards. The second session concerned the final decision on Al-Qadisiyah College of Medicine. The meeting concluded after the completion of the Quantum review.
ABC of self-assessment study
On the 25th and 26th of April 2024, an intensive training workshop was held at the UHK School of Medicine premises. The workshop was facilitated by NCAMC members and aimed to enhance the capabilities of self-assessment committees in crucial areas such as conducting self-assessment studies, generating evidence, crafting comprehensive self-assessment reports (SAR), and indexing these reports efficiently. Experienced lecturers from NCAMC members led participants through practical sessions, enriching their skills and expertise in self-assessment methodologies. The training delved deep into the practical applications of self-assessment studies, equipping participants with the necessary skills to conduct thorough studies and produce reports.
NCAMC Celebrates First Anniversary of WFME Recognition with Distinguished Guests
Baghdad, Iraq – February 20, 2025 – The National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) marked the first anniversary of its prestigious recognition by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) with a grand celebration attended by key international figures in medical education.
The event, held on February 20, 2025, brought together prominent stakeholders in medical education, including Professor Ricardo León Bórquez, President of WFME, and Professor Ismail Ibrahim Matalka, WFME Assessor, who played a significant role in the evaluation process leading to NCAMC’s recognition.
A Milestone for Medical Education in Iraq
NCAMC’s WFME recognition, granted on February 21, 2024, established it as Iraq’s official accrediting body for medical education, aligning its standards with global best practices. The anniversary celebration reflected on the council’s achievements over the past year, including enhanced accreditation processes, strengthened quality assurance mechanisms, and increased international collaborations.
Speaking at the event, Professor Ricardo León Bórquez emphasized the importance of sustained accreditation efforts, stating:
"NCAMC’s commitment to quality assurance in medical education is commendable. This recognition ensures that medical graduates in Iraq meet global standards, facilitating international mobility and professional growth."
Professor Ismail Ibrahim Matalka also highlighted the rigorous process undertaken by NCAMC to achieve this milestone:
"The WFME recognition is not just an achievement but a responsibility to uphold and continuously improve medical education standards. The progress made in the past year is a testament to NCAMC’s dedication."
Looking Ahead
During the celebration, NCAMC outlined its vision for the future, focusing on continuous quality improvement, faculty development, and expanding collaborations with international accreditation bodies. Plans were also unveiled to further refine the accreditation process, ensuring Iraqi medical schools remain competitive on the global stage.
The event concluded with a panel discussion and recognition ceremony, where key contributors to NCAMC’s accreditation journey were honored.
As Iraq’s medical education sector moves forward under the WFME-recognized accreditation system, NCAMC remains committed to fostering excellence, innovation, and international recognition for medical colleges across the country.
