Cihan University-Erbil Achieves Remarkable Success in Arab Ranking 2026

Erbil – Cihan University-Erbil has secured an impressive position in the Times Higher Education Arab University Rankings 2026, ranking second among all universities in the Kurdistan Region.

In a surprising turn of events, private universities have dominated the rankings, outperforming many larger, established public institutions. Cihan University-Erbil placed in the 101-125 band with an overall score of 29.7-31.8, demonstrating strong performance across multiple metrics including research quality (59.7) and international outlook (61.1).

The university’s achievement is particularly noteworthy as it surpassed several major Iraqi public universities that ranked significantly lower. This success reflects Cihan University’s commitment to academic excellence, research innovation, and international collaboration.

“This ranking validates our strategic vision and dedication to providing world-class education,” university officials stated. “We are proud to lead among Kurdistan’s universities and set new benchmarks for private higher education in Iraq.”

The ranking evaluated universities across five key indicators: teaching environment, research environment, research quality, industry engagement, and international outlook.

With this achievement, Cihan University-Erbil continues to strengthen its position as a leading academic institution in the region, attracting students and faculty who seek quality education and impactful research opportunities.