As a result of the 15th General Assembly of the Francophone University Agency CONFREMO and the Regional Conference of Rectors of Francophone Universities in the Middle East (C2R) at Qatar University in Doha. Professor Dr. Alia Abbas Ali Al-Attar, President of Northern Technical University, was unanimously elected as Vice-President of the Conference of Presidents of Francophone Universities in the Middle East, in the presence of the Presidents of Francophone universities and Mr. Jean-Noel Balliot, Regional Director of the University Agency of Francophonie in the Middle East.

Dr. Al-Attar is the first Iraqi lady to hold this high position. Dr. Al-Attar expressed her happiness with this position, and said that she will work to strengthen cooperation between C2R and universities in the Middle East region, and support scientific research and innovation in the region. Dr. Al-Attar also stated that her election as Vice President of C2R for the Middle East region is an important achievement for Arab women in general and Iraqi women in particular, and reflects their distinguished position in the field of education and scientific research.

These elections come within the framework of the efforts made by NTU to enhance cooperation with local, Arab and international academic institutions.