The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, received the Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy in Iraq, Mr. Christopher Castillo. During the meeting, the Minister of Education affirmed the ministry’s keenness to develop productive international partnerships, enhance scientific and cultural cooperation, exchange experiences, twinning programs and joint scientific research between the universities of the two countries. He instructed the Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations to initiate the drafting of a memorandum of understanding in the scientific and academic fields and the development of cultural relations. For his part, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Philippine Embassy expressed his thanks to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Al-Aboudi, for opening prospects for cooperation and paths of bilateral coordination between the two countrie