degree in geology-physics from Baghdad University in 1965 and carried out his military service obligations.

He was appointed the head of the Arab Geologist Association's advisory committee from 1975, just after this was formed, until 1998.

He was elected as secretary general 1973 and president 2001 of the Geological Society of Iraq.

Wissam al-Hashimi wrote many scientific papers, in both Arabic and English, on carbonate sedimentology and diagenesis, petrology, mineralogy, geoarchaeology, engineering geology, underground storage, industrial rocks and minerals, and hydrology.

He regularly wrote analytical articles which were published in Iraqi newspapers covering various political, oil and water issues in the Middle East and the Arab world.