Iraqi professor wins knighthood from British King Charles III

Baghdad - INA

The pioneering Iraqi computer scientist, Professor Bashir Al-Hashemi, was granted today, Thursday, the title of (Knight) by the King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Charles III.

The Embassy of the Republic of Iraq to the United Kingdom said in a statement received by the Iraqi News Agency (INA): "It extends its congratulations to the Iraqi Professor (Sir) Bashir Muhammad Al-Hashemi, Vice President of King's College London for Research and Innovation, for obtaining the title of (Knight), which was granted to him at an honoring ceremony held by His Majesty King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, for the new year 2025, for his services in the field of engineering and education."

The statement added, "While the embassy congratulates Professor (Sir) Al-Hashemi on receiving this well-deserved title, it expresses its pride and appreciation for one of the distinguished sons of Iraq, who has been a milestone in the path of excellence and creativity, and stresses that the receipt of this title by one of the Iraqi innovators represents an important and influential incentive for all Iraqis, especially the members of the Iraqi community in Britain, who represent Iraq in all its spectrums, and who have proven and are always proving that they are a qualitative addition to British society in all fields. At the same time, Dr. Al-Hashemi did not forget his mother country, as he contributed greatly to signing a memorandum of understanding between the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and King's College London in May 2024, which included a number of programs related to scientific research, twinning, cultural exchange, and providing a climate of cooperation in modern specializations, especially those related to artificial intelligence and emerging knowledge spaces."

“Professor (Sir) Al Hashemi is internationally recognized by academia and industry for his significant and sustained research contributions over 30 years in the field of energy-efficient computing and semiconductor chip design and implementation. His recent research has led to significant advances in digital electronics technologies and software, including smartphones. The research has won numerous national and international awards, the most recent of which was the prestigious IET Faraday Medal in 2020,” he said.

The statement continued, "Professor Al-Hashemi (born in Baghdad in 1961) has held many senior academic leadership positions in the higher education sector in the United Kingdom throughout his career. 

He was awarded the Order of the British Empire in 2018, and a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2023. He holds a PhD in Electronics Engineering from the University of York, a Master's in Electronics Engineering from Cardiff University, and a Bachelor's in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. As a trustee of several charitable organizations, he actively promotes science and engineering among young people."