Since the establishment of the College of Law in Fallujah in 2002, its leadership has been committed to making it a shining point in the journey of legal education in Iraq. Academic rigor has been its aim, and performance quality its outcome. Despite the tremendous challenges it has faced since its inception—particularly after the occupation and the battles in Fallujah in 2004 and 2005, which led to destruction of its buildings and suspension of classes, and again during the displacement and liberation period in 2013—the college has always risen again. Its faculty, staff, and students continuously shake off the dust of war and bombing to once more hold firmly to the weapon of knowledge and learning, the symbol of peace, progress, and security. The College sends a message that Iraqis have become adept at facing challenges—indeed, it is a field in which they never tire. Accordingly, the college has seen continuous development year after year across various levels.
In the realm of academic programs, the College has attracted a distinguished group of legal scholars, both locally and nationally, contributing to the development of new academic programs. This began with the launch of the postgraduate (Master's) program in Private Law in 2013–2014, followed by the establishment of the Ph.D. program in Private Law in the academic year 2020–2021, and the Master's program in Public Law in the same year. Additionally, the College launched a peer-reviewed, biannual legal journal titled Al-Bahith Journal for Legal Sciences in 2020, which has published numerous issues containing rigorous scholarly research and valuable intellectual contributions.
On the front of strengthening cooperation with state institutions, the College has organized numerous seminars, scientific lectures, and joint workshops with various governmental bodies such as the Ministry of Environment, Community Police, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Culture, and others. These efforts aim to spread legal awareness as widely as possible. The College has also built bridges with the wider community through the provision of legal and intellectual services, volunteering campaigns, and donations to underprivileged families and orphan-hosting schools, promoting a culture of social solidarity as part of the humanitarian mission that colleges are tasked with delivering to all segments of society. To further solidify this role, in 2019 the College established the Legal Clinic Unit, forming a communication channel between faculty members and a group of graduate lawyers. This unit offers free legal representation and litigation services for impoverished families.
The College has also maintained active collaboration with its counterparts in Iraq and across the Arab world. In addition to being a member of the Committee of Deans of Government Law Colleges affiliated with the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, the College contributed in 2018 to the establishment of the Scientific Association of Arab Colleges of Law/Rights, affiliated with the League of Arab States and based in the United Arab Emirates.
Finally, it is worth noting that the College's academic leadership has recognized the importance of practical legal studies in its curricula. A virtual courtroom was established, and a course on applied court practice in civil and criminal procedures was integrated into the study program to help graduate students equipped with practical legal knowledge, making them more competitive in the job market. Furthermore, e-learning was adopted as one of the most important modern tools to facilitate legal knowledge transfer and promote a culture of digital learning within the classrooms.
Prof. Dr. Raed Naji Ahmed
Dean of the College
