Lecturer Mohammad Nouman Murad – College Of Dentistry – Al-kitab University
The Imperative of Digital Transformation
Digital Transformation is a leading modern concept reshaping institutions and companies across sectors. It fundamentally alters traditional methods of dealing with business, issues, and challenges by reimagining and digitizing customer service. This is achieved by leveraging data analysis of customer and user needs and employing technology to enhance their experience, driving efficiency and innovation.

Defining Digital Transformation
At its core, Digital Transformation is the transition of societies, institutions, companies, and operations from using traditional technologies and systems to adopting digital technologies and systems for conducting, managing, and exchanging information. This shift creates new business processes, organizational culture, and customer experiences across diverse fields such as business, education, health, tourism, e-commerce, and digital marketing. It revitalizes business models, work methodologies, and enables the creation and innovative delivery of new value, making daily activities in institutions faster, more efficient, and more effective. This transformation impacts every operational level, aligning better with evolving customer demands and enabling deeper interaction.

Core Goals and Benefits
The primary purpose and objectives of any digital transformation are to:

Modernize legacy systems and rethink traditional approaches to common problems.

Automate existing paper-based or manual processes.

Enhance operational efficiency and innovate through the adoption of new technologies.

Enable online accessibility of systems.

Improve institutional and corporate processes to enhance competitiveness and achieve goals and profits.

Achieve transparency and accuracy.

Strengthen competitive capacity.

Establish and support new, data-driven decision-making policies.

Key benefits include increased efficiency, improved service delivery, higher productivity, enhanced customer experience, reduced costs, better decision-making, and improved communication.

Iraq’s National Digital Transformation Drive
Digital transformation has become essential for individuals and state institutions. In this context, the Iraqi government, following directives from the Prime Minister’s Office since 2021, has prioritized and allocated funds for e-governance and digital transformation across all state institutions.
Ongoing efforts have been reinforced by pioneering projects. On May 13, 2024, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ Al-Sudani directed the removal of obstacles facing digital transformation projects and the enhancement of e-government applications, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive vision and coordinated efforts.
These initiatives have yielded significant projects like the Electronic Card, National Data Center, Awer Government Services Platform, Electronic Payment Systems, and the Electronic Passport. The national five-year development plan also places significant emphasis on comprehensive digital transformation and the adoption of electronic systems across sectors.

The Role of AI and Cybersecurity
The state’s focus extends beyond technical transformation to include Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cybersecurity, aligning with international requirements. Notable national advancements have been achieved in these vital areas. Transformation has also impacted sectors like the Retirement and Social Security Department, the Ministry of Justice, and financial affairs—where e-payment has accelerated transactions and combated corruption.

Digital Transformation in Higher Education & Scientific Research
The latest fruits of these national efforts culminated in the inauguration of the Digital Transformation and Automation Center at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on February 17, 2025. The Ministry has begun implementing over 120 electronic systems on a scheduled timeline. These digital services will cater to students, human resources across the Ministry, public and private universities and institutes, and include e-learning services, among others. The Ministry also aims to establish a large, integrated data center building in Al-Jadriya, Baghdad.
The Ministry has organized several national conferences on automation and digital transformation across Iraq’s regions this year to promote awareness and implementation in universities and institutes.

Generational Shift in Universities: A Call to Action
During the Fourth National Digital Transformation Conference at Al-Noor University in Mosul (July 2024), Prof. Dr. Haider Abdul Zahra, Deputy Minister for Scientific Research, outlined the evolution of universities through generations—from knowledge transfer (1st Gen) to integrating AI, entrepreneurship, and sustainability (5th Gen).
He stressed that for Iraqi universities to succeed in digital transformation and evolve into fourth-generation institutions, moving beyond slogans to measurable implementation is crucial. This requires bridging the gap between plans and execution, investing in training cadres on digital systems and AI, and integrating technology into the institutional culture through active support and engagement from academic and administrative staff.

The Higher Education Platform – HEPIQ
To achieve these goals, the Ministry has strongly advanced the establishment of HEPIQ (Higher Education Platform – IRAQ). This innovative digital platform and educational application aims to facilitate the management of academic and administrative affairs in universities, providing integrated solutions for students and professors.
Key Features of HEPIQ:

Support for diverse education systems (Bologna, courses, semesters, annual).

Smart identity verification using camera and official document upload.

Intelligent notifications for assignments, exams, and payments.

HEPIQ’s Digital Systems (Categorized):

25 Core Systems: e.g., Correspondence System (SCS), Project Management System (PMS).

21 Systems for Ministry/University Staff: e.g., Human Resources (HR), Payroll, Academic Performance System (APS), Digital Twin for infrastructure planning.

29 Systems for Students: e.g., Learning Management System (LMS), Student Information System (SIS), Exam Management System (EMS).

Core Portals & Systems within HEPIQ:

Student Portal: A comprehensive platform for academic tracking and resource management.

Student Information System (SIS): Manages admissions, registration, academic progress, and document issuance.

Human Resources Management System: Manages employee records, payroll, and recruitment.

Professor Portal: Allows management of schedules, student performance tracking, and academic analysis.

Comprehensive Management System: The main interface for system-wide settings.

Permissions Management System: Organizes and monitors user permissions.

Centralized & Unified Admission Systems: Includes the “Qadam” platform for electronic applications.

Postgraduate Application System: Facilitates transparent applications for postgraduate studies.

Digital Scholarship System: Manages applications for internal and external scholarships and fellowships.

Higher Education Reading Award: An annual national competition to promote a culture of reading.

Spotlight on Key HEPIQ Systems:

Learning Management System (LMS): The cornerstone of digital transformation in education, providing an integrated platform for online courses, content delivery, communication, assignments, and exams (e.g., Moodle, Canvas).

Student Information System (SIS): An intelligent academic record system managing admissions, registration, student tracking, document issuance, and data analytics.

Study Program Management System: Manages curricula, courses, classes, weekly schedules, student fees, and transfer requests.

Student App: Allows students to choose courses, register attendance via QR, manage absences, follow lectures/assignments, view schedules/exams, and handle payments.

Professor App: Provides tools for managing lectures, creating tests, tracking attendance, interacting with students, and showcasing academic qualifications.

Digital Document Issuance & Verification System: Manages the issuance and verification of preparatory and university documents.

Identity Management System: Features a unified, secure electronic ID card (smart card) for higher education with advanced anti-forgery features (hologram, secure printing, QR code, PCI DSS compliance).

Conclusion: A Call for Implementation
The time for application and execution has arrived. The responsibility now lies with university, college, and department administrations to guide the implementation of the HEPIQ platform. This requires continuous training for faculty and staff and encouraging students to register and engage with HEPIQ, thereby embracing the new, intelligent digital world and ensuring Iraqi universities are future-ready.