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Middle Technical University (MTU) Becomes First Blue University in Iraq and The Middle East

Baghdad, Iraq – June 14, 2026 – In a landmark step for water stewardship in the region, the Middle Technical University (MTU) has officially earned the designation of a Blue University within the global Blue Community network.

The certificate, awarded on June 14, 2026, makes MTU the very first university in Iraq; and the entire Middle East and North Africa (MENA); to join this international movement that champions water as a human right and a public trust.

The designation was formally recognized by the Council of Canadians and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), with a personal congratulatory message from renowned water activist Maude Barlow, who chairs the Council of Canadians. In her statement, Barlow praised MTU’s commitment to the three foundational principles that define any Blue Community:

 

1. Recognizing the human rights to water and sanitation – embedding these rights in institutional policy and practice;
2. Promoting publicly financed, owned and operated water and wastewater services – opposing privatization and commodification;
3. Promoting safe public drinking water everywhere – actively phasing out single-use bottled water and reducing plastic pollution.

The certificate underscores that “water is central to human activity” and “must be governed by principles that allow for reasonable use, equal distribution and responsible treatment in order to preserve water for nature and future generations.”

A Champion of the Initiative: Prof. Muntasir Alshareef

Driving MTU’s successful application was Prof. Muntasir Alshareef, Head of the Irrigation and Drainage Branch within the Department of Water Resources Engineering at MTU’s Polytechnic College for Engineering Specialties. Prof. Alshareef brings a formidable academic and professional pedigree to the Blue Community.

He has published internationally on water management and sustainability, supervised and examined numerous postgraduate students in Iraq and abroad, and serves as a leading member of the Iraqi Engineers Syndicate.

Crucially, Prof. Alshareef has developed multiple student projects that integrate modern technologies and artificial intelligence into water utilization and management — a skill set that aligns perfectly with the Blue Community’s growing emphasis on technical cooperation and knowledge exchange. In his own words:

“As a university professor specializing in water management and sustainability, I have internationally published research, supervised and examined numerous students in Iraq and abroad. As a leading member of the Iraqi Engineers Syndicate, I also have developed several student projects for water management and utilization using modern technologies and artificial intelligence. It’s my pleasure to bring this experience in as part of the Blue Community.”

His leadership was instrumental in steering MTU through the designation process, which involved campus-wide consultations and a formal commitment to the three core principles.

The Blue Community at a Glance: A Growing Global Network

MTU now joins a rapidly expanding network that, as of the latest Blue Community Matrix, counts 257 member institutions across five continents. The matrix, maintained by the Blue Community Network, reveals the following distribution:

Region	Blue Cities	Blue Universities	Blue Services	Blue Faith	Blue Schools	Blue NGOs	Blue Companies	Total
Americas	54	11	1	3	16	8	1	94
Africa	10	0	1	2	0	32	1	45
Asia	0	0	0	0	0	17	0	18
MENA	0	1 (MTU)	1	0	0	13	0	1 (plus other categories)
Europe	32	9	11	27	2	13	5	99
Total	96	20	14	32	18	70	7	257

 

(Note: The matrix shows 96 Blue Cities, 20 Blue Universities, 14 Blue Services, 32 Blue Faith groups, 18 Blue Schools, 70 Blue NGOs, and 7 Blue Companies. MTU’s addition makes the MENA region the newest home for a Blue University, filling a critical gap in the map.)

Beyond Recognition: Access to Global Technical Resources

One of the most tangible benefits of joining the Blue Community is access to a wealth of specialised knowledge and training. During the recent online launch event for Blue Universities; held on World Water Day and presented in an interactive session; the network highlighted a key partner: the Swiss Federal Institute for Aquatic Research Science and Technology (Eawag).

Eawag hosts a dedicated department called SUNTEC (Sanitation, Water, and Solid Waste for Development). SUNTEC is not only a research powerhouse but also offers a wide range of free online courses available to all Blue Community members. 

These courses cover topics from decentralized wastewater treatment to solid waste management in development contexts, providing practical, research-backed tools that institutions like MTU can immediately integrate into their curricula and outreach programs.

For MTU’s engineering and water resources students, this opens a direct pipeline to world-class educational material that complements their AI-based student projects and applied research. The university has already signaled its intention to incorporate these resources into its upcoming academic term, further strengthening its role as a regional leader in water innovation.

A “Blue Campus” in Action

Within days of receiving the designation, MTU launched a campus-wide “Blue Campus” campaign. Faculty and students are being encouraged to sign a digital pledge committing to the use of reusable water flasks, thereby reducing the institution’s reliance on single-use plastic bottles. 

The campaign is supported by interactive workshops and signage across MTU’s Baghdad campuses, reinforcing the message that water stewardship begins with everyday choices.

MTU President Prof. Dr. Wadhah Amer Hatem has been vocal in his support, stating that “progress resonates in the laboratories of technical minds that see opportunities in society’s most critical challenges”. His vision aligns with the Blue Community’s overarching philosophy: water belongs to no one and is the responsibility of all.

Implications for the MENA Region

MTU’s achievement is particularly significant for a region facing acute water scarcity. Iraq, home to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, has experienced decades of conflict, climate change, and upstream dam construction that have reduced water flows and degraded water quality. By adopting the Blue Community principles, MTU sends a powerful signal that higher education institutions can; and must; take a proactive stance in safeguarding public water resources.

The designation also provides a model for other universities in the MENA region. With 13 Blue NGOs already active in the region and 1 Blue Service, the infrastructure for a broader network exists. MTU’s success is expected to inspire sister institutions in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, and the Gulf states to pursue similar recognition, creating a ripple effect of public-water advocacy across the Arab world.

 

Next Steps for MTU and the Blue Community

Looking ahead, MTU plans to:

• Host a regional webinar on “AI and Water Management” featuring Prof. Alshareef and other Blue Community experts;
• Translate selected SUNTEC course materials into Arabic for local students and practitioners;
• Collaborate with existing Blue Cities and NGOs in the MENA region to share data and best practices;
• Develop a student-led monitoring program for the Tigris River, using low-cost sensors and open-source platforms.

The Blue Community network has welcomed MTU with open arms, and Maude Barlow’s personal congratulations underscore the significance of this moment. As she noted in her certificate, the designation is not an endpoint but a beginning; a commitment to ongoing action and accountability.

How Other Institutions Can Get Involved

Any municipality, university, school, company, or NGO can join the Blue Community by formally adopting its three principles. The process is straightforward and does not require membership fees; only a genuine dedication to water justice. Interested parties are invited to explore the Blue Community’s official pages and submit their application through the network’s online portal.

For now, the spotlight remains on MTU; a technical university that has turned a global framework into a local triumph, proving that even in the most water-stressed corners of the world, innovation and commitment can pave the way for a more equitable and sustainable water future.

 

This article was prepared by the Nordic R&D Bridge newsletter as a news feature. For more information about the Blue Community, visit www.blue-community.net.