The Department of History at the College of Arts, University of Basrah, held its Second International Scientific Conference on 22–23 April 2026 under the title: “The Role of the Teacher Through the Ages: From the Traditional Function to the Challenges of the Digital Age and Artificial Intelligence,” with broad participation from researchers and academics from within Iraq and abroad.

The conference examined the historical role of the teacher in building values, consolidating identity, and shaping social awareness across different eras, as well as studying the transformations that have affected teachers’ status and educational function with the development of societies and educational systems.

The conference aimed to shed light on the historical status of teachers and their impact on building generations, while also exploring their future role amid rapid digital transformations and the development of artificial intelligence technologies, along with the educational, ethical, and professional challenges these changes impose. It also sought to open avenues for academic dialogue on preserving the teacher’s educational mission and strengthening their role in facing contemporary challenges.

The conference included five scientific sessions covering its main themes, with the participation of 55 researchers from Iraqi universities and the Ministry of Education, in addition to researchers from outside Iraq, including Algeria, Syria, and the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In its closing statement, the conference presented a number of important recommendations, the most significant of which are emphasizing the teacher’s role as a fundamental pillar in building values, shaping social awareness, and preserving national identity across generations, as well as developing the laws and regulations governing the teaching profession in line with the evolution of the modern state and ensuring the restoration of the teacher’s social and educational status.

The conference also recommended documenting the historical achievements of teachers in reformist and national movements to strengthen the educational memory that inspires younger generations, and launching national initiatives to support and protect teachers during times of crises and wars to ensure the stability and sustainability of the educational process.

The closing statement further stressed the importance of updating the educational system and curricula in line with the actual needs of teachers and improving the educational work environment, while designing advanced training programs to enable teachers to deal with artificial intelligence tools and digitalization according to professional and ethical standards. It also called for the establishment of a memorial monument for teachers in Basrah Governorate, particularly at University of Basrah, in recognition of their efforts in the educational process as builders of generations.