Najaf job fair connects graduates with private sector opportunities

NAJAF — With Iraq’s public sector struggling to absorb thousands of new graduates each year, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University has stepped in to narrow the gap between recent degree holders and private companies. The university’s first job fair in Najaf is offering 500 positions across 20 companies, eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and focusing instead on interviews and assessments.

“It is part of the university’s responsibility to prepare graduates for the job market and connect with various sectors of society, particularly the private sector, to facilitate employment,” said Hassan Al-Zubaidi, president of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University, speaking to 964media.

According to Al-Zubaidi, the initiative aligns with a new policy from the Ministry of Higher Education, allowing private firms to recruit on university campuses. “The job fair and other similar exhibitions organized by the university align with a new approach adopted by the Ministry of Higher Education, allowing private sector companies to enter universities, hire graduates, and contribute to sustainable development in the country,” he said.

Participating businesses emphasized the urgency of steering graduates away from the overcrowded public sector. “This is a new experience in Najaf’s market, and we now have partnerships with universities and institutes to employ graduates in the private sector instead of government jobs,” said Amir Abu Shama, director of Al-Ittijah Aviation. “We now have a private sector, and young professionals should enter the job market. It is open to everyone, with social security and contracts ensuring their rights.”

Firms in diverse fields, including beauty services, have also joined the festival. “We, at Aram Beauty Clinic, are here at the Technical Institute of Najaf to provide job opportunities for graduates,” said clinic director Sajad Majid. “We support such festivals because they offer opportunities for job seekers and help boost their careers.”

Applicants undergo brief interviews to discuss responsibilities and understand workplace environments. “We are offering 25 job opportunities in various departments, including laser treatments, hair transplants, injections, eyebrow services, skincare, and administrative roles,” Majid added.

Attendees praised the new link between higher education and the private sector. “This festival is a great initiative by the university, especially its effort to attract private companies for its graduates,” said attendee Rusul Ismail. “The private sector is much better than waiting for a government job, and we support such initiatives.”

Employment agencies were on hand as well. “We participated in the job festival at the Technical Institute of Najaf and provided 500 private-sector job opportunities,” said Dijlah Al-Khair Employment Agency owner Noor Al-Maamouri. “We saw many talented graduates here, and we want to invest in their skills and help develop their careers by placing them in offices, schools, and private companies instead of them being unemployed and waiting for a government job.”

Another agency owner, Zahraa Jamsheer, said, “The event at the Technical Institute of Najaf was excellent, and I was surprised by the high turnout. I hope other universities and institutes organize similar initiatives to enhance cooperation between private companies and universities, helping graduates secure jobs in the private sector.”

Hotel manager Mustafa Al-Zarfi echoed that sentiment. “We, at Granada Hotel, joined the job fair at the Technical Institute of Najaf to strengthen the role of the private sector instead of relying on government jobs,” he said.

For students nearing graduation, the fair offered a direct route to potential employment. “I came to the festival, especially the bazaar section, as I am a student looking for a job after graduation,” said accounting major Ruqayya Abbas. “Most of our job opportunities are in the private sector. I hope companies will recruit more graduates.”