“Iraqi Youth” Honour Distinguished Scientist Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi
The British capital, London, witnessed a prominent academic and community event celebrating migrant Iraqi scientific icons and their pioneering role in shaping the global higher education landscape. On Sunday evening, 7 June 2026, the Iraqi Academic Youth Association in the UK organized its major cultural and academic event titled “Opportunity Changes Everything.” Hosted by the Humanitarian Dialogue Foundation, the event aimed to celebrate Iraqi academic excellence and honour Professor Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi, Vice President of King’s College London and one of the most prominent Iraqi figures in the UK’s higher education and innovation sector.
A high-level diplomatic and academic attendance
The celebration was distinguished by a high-profile, elite attendance that brought together diplomatic bodies, as well as academic and community organizations. Leading the attendees were:
- Mr. Amer Al-Fatlawi, Representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in the UK.
- Dr. Laith Al-Mashhadani, Advisor and Deputy Iraqi Consul.
- Mr. Mohammed Radwan, Office Manager for British MP Georgia Gould.
The dialogue platform and proceedings were efficiently and masterfully moderated by Cambridge University academic, Dr. Othman Younus.
The evening commenced with a welcoming address by the association’s president, Alaa Al-Mimar, who emphasized the association’s strategic vision to support young Iraqi talent and motivate them to advance further in the fields of science and knowledge.
Al-Mimar highlighted the pivotal role played by successful models of Iraqi, Arab, and Muslim academics and professionals in the UK, describing them as inspiring beacons that open wide and promising horizons for new generations.
Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi: A Journey Shaped by Opportunity
In the main segment of the event, Professor Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi took the stage to share inspiring milestones from his personal and professional journey. Al-Hashimi revealed his unique philosophy towards life and work, demonstrating how successive opportunities contributed to fully shaping and transforming his career path.
“Opportunity changes everything” – Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi
Al-Hashimi recalled his beginnings when he first arrived in the UK in 1978 at the young age of eighteen, embarking from that moment on building his academic and professional legacy within British educational institutions.
He explained that his career was not governed by rigid, conventional planning, but rather materialized and took shape by seizing a series of exceptional opportunities and investing in them at pivotal moments; starting from his studies in electrical engineering, through obtaining his Master’s and PhD degrees in postgraduate studies, and leading up to his ascent within the academic hierarchy to occupy the position of Vice President of one of the most prestigious British universities (King’s College London).
Sir Al-Hashimi’s speech was not without touching personal reflections, as he reminisced about his early childhood dreams in Iraq, when he aspired to become a doctor or a football player in the ranks of the Iraqi national team, before circumstances intervened to guide him towards an entirely different scientific path that marked the major turning point in his life.
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the Job Market
In an analytical reading of the future, Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi dedicated a significant portion of his speech to addressing the growing role of artificial intelligence technologies in reshaping the job market and innovation. He extended an earnest call to young people on the necessity of moving beyond the superficial consumption of AI tools, urging them instead to focus on building a solid scientific and knowledge-based foundation that enables them to employ this contemporary technology effectively and responsibly.
He pointed out that the future relationship between humans and machines must be established on the principle of “partnership and integration” rather than “replacement,” emphasizing that:
- Sound human judgement,
- Emotional intelligence, and
- Critical thinking
will all remain essential, sovereign elements that cannot be dispensed with in the era of digital transformation. He also touched upon his personal experience of integration and coexistence within British society, demonstrating the paramount importance of emotional intelligence in building bridges for successful professional and social relationships.
He concluded his message to Iraqi and Arab youth by emphasizing the need to draw lessons from the past and look to the future with confidence and optimism, while maintaining the highest levels of focus and hard work in the present.
Poetic Echoes and Official Addresses
The ceremony featured speeches from representatives of the Iraqi Embassy and the office of British MP Georgia Gould. The speakers unanimously agreed on the critical importance of initiatives that highlight Iraqi and Arab achievements in the UK, as well as providing interactive platforms for dialogue, inspiration, and intergenerational exchange of expertise.
In a distinct cultural gesture, Engineer Hani Al-Jourani delivered a moving poem that touched the hearts of the attendees. The poem showcased Mesopotamia’s deeply-rooted scientific and educational legacy, recalling the long and honorable history of Iraqis and their renowned passion and excellence in the fields of science and research, while emphasizing the values of knowledge as a fundamental pillar for the renaissance of societies and the building of the future.
Open Dialogue and Honouring Excellence
The open dialogue session that followed the keynote speech witnessed remarkable engagement and a rich discussion involving a large crowd of academics, professionals, and students. Attendees raised pivotal questions centered on leadership, higher education, artificial intelligence, and career development. Young people showed great and direct interest in seeking guidance from Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi’s experience in creating opportunities and overcoming challenges to achieve success.
In a moment of recognition, the association’s administrative board took the stage to honour Sir Bashir Al-Hashimi for his distinguished scientific and academic contributions. The honorary plaque was presented to him by the representative of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq, Mr. Amer Al-Fatlawi.
The recognition platform was not limited to celebrating established scholars; it extended to embrace the younger generation and excellence. The Iraqi Academic Youth Association honoured a number of its prominent members, including distinguished Iraqi academics, professionals, and students, namely:
- Dr. Esraa Al-Wandi
- Mrs. Suha Al-Saqban
- Dr. Othman Younus
This recognition came in appreciation of their efforts, achievements, and notable contributions in their respective academic and professional fields, and in gratitude for their active role in supporting the association’s mission and developmental goals.
The evening concluded with an open networking session among the attendees, filled with an atmosphere of pride in the successes of migrant Iraqis in the UK. This reinforced the concept of connecting established expertise with promising youth to write new chapters of excellence and success.
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