The administration of the Natural History Research Center and Museum at the University of Baghdad welcomed Dr. Alaa Diaa Al-Din, the Director of the Al-Husayni Shrine Museum, on Monday, September 21, 2026. He was greeted by Prof. Dr. Khansaa Rashid Majeed, the Head of the Botany and Environment Department, along with Asst. Prof. Dr. Hind Diaa Hadi, the Head of the Fish Department.
The purpose of the visit was to enhance collaboration between museums and religious institutions, as well as between academic and research organizations. The visit aimed to promote cooperation and cultural-museum integration, share technical and professional knowledge, and investigate contemporary techniques for specimen preservation, storage, and taxidermy, in addition to display methods and the application of best practices in archiving and maintaining rare museum items. Furthermore, it sought to enable joint exhibitions and initiatives—including documentary, historical, and scientific exhibitions—that benefit Iraqi society and emphasize national and civilizational identity in all its forms. Ultimately, the visit intended to bolster museum tourism and cultural activity by creating strategies to draw local and international visitors and delegations, while enhancing the educational and cultural roles of the museum for youth and students at both school and university levels. Key recommendations that arose from the visit include establishing joint coordination committees between the Center and the Imam Hussain Shrine Museum, consisting of designated representatives from both sides, to monitor the outcomes of the visit and convert recommendations into tangible projects within defined timelines. Additionally, the partnership is to be formalized through an agreement that encompasses the exchange of scientific knowledge, mutual training for museum personnel, and access to the academic laboratories of the Natural History Research Center.
This initiative aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
