Within the activities of the EPU International Relations Office, Erbil Polytechnic University achieved a grant fund project “Empowerment for Migrants-from Camps to Integration”. They have obtained a large grant of (268,523 Euro) from the French National Agency Erasmus+. The grant is a three-year project that focuses on the empowerment of migrants from camps to integration with the local community in the Kurdistan Regional Iraq.
Seven partners involved in the implementation process: Erbil Polytechnic University (EPU) (Kurdistan region of Iraq), lo Sviluppo, Economia e Innovazione – APS (Italy), Comité mondial Pour les Apprentissages tout au long de la vie, Centro Internazionale Per La (France), Centro Internazionale Per La Promozione Dell’Educazione E Lo Sviluppo, Promozione dell’Educazione E Lo Sviluppo Assocaizione (Italy), Institute of Entrepreneurship Development, Westdeutscher (Greece), Handwerkskammertag, Foundation European Centre, Vakuation Prior (Germany), and Learning/Stichting Europeescentrum Waarderen Van Leren (Netherlands). The project agreement implementation will continues for three years, from 1st of November 2021 to 1st of November 2024.
In the Erbil Polytechnic University, the International Relations Director, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ranj Sirwan Abdullah, Asst. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Omer Yassin, Dr. Selar Othman, and staff supervise the programme. Through this project, 180 people attend the training courses at places with political problems and struggles, and a part of this programme is dedicated to our vulnerable students. The training course subjects include Human Capacity Development and strengthening their personalities to get job opportunities in the future.
On Tuesday, 23rd of November 2021, Erbil Polytechnic University arranged an event about Thalassemia disease. In the activity, the Erbil Polytechnic University Rector Asst.Prof.Dr. Kawa Abdulkareem Sherwani, the Rector Assistant for the Student Affairs Asst. Prof.Dr. Yousif Mustafa Rasul, Directors, lecturers and Specialists were present.
At the beginning of the session, the university Rector delivered a speech in which he talked about the importance of conducting such activities for the university alumni, students, and the Kurdistan community. In another part of his speech, the EPU Rector assured his support to the alumni and the students to pave their way to prepare for similar research that will benefit and develop the community.
Later, the researchers and specialists started delivering their presentations concerning Thalassemia Disease. Finally, the discussion gate opened for the audience to direct their questions and comments answered by the researchers.
At the end of the event, the Rector Assistant for the Students Affairs offered honorary certificates to the researchers.
On Monday 22th of November 2021 at Erbil International Hotel, the SPARK International Organization started launching a workshop about the new project ‘Innovation Lab’, which is funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs implemented in collaboration with the SPARK Organization. The EPU Rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Kawa Abdulkareem Sherwani, the Musol University President, and the Northern Technical University were present in this workshop that will continue for two days.
At the beginning of the workshop, his Excellency Asst. Prof. Dr. Kawa Abdulkareem Sherwani delivered a speech in which he said: “It is my pleasure to welcome you all to this project announcement and workshop. Welcome to Erbil city. Welcome to the launch of the new project ‘Innovation Lab‘ funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs implemented in collaboration with SPARK Organization.”
We are delighted to continue working successfully with our partners from SPARK, Northern Technical University, and the University of Mousel. As you know, since the beginning of the collaboration with SPARK, we could achieve most of our objectives. The project’s aim first was to create a pathway to enhance the employability of displaced students.
The project also helped EPU with capacity building, curriculum development, and training for trainers (TOTs) in different sectors. We are proud that we could provide a high-quality course in English language, marketing and we could pass those days when the pandemic started last year.
During last year and this year we provided training courses for our staff in different levels also we worked together on the implementation of the Bologna Process and the ECTS. As it’s clear to all of you that EPU started implementing Bologna Process three years ago as a part of the EPU strategy towards internationalization since this will enhance the higher education standards in the Kurdistan region of Iraq. And of course, the project is another step towards the university’s strive for internationalization and accreditation.
I would like to thank SPARK for choosing EPU and the other two universities for implementing this project, and we are willing to continue the collaboration until the end of the fund.
The idea behind an Innovation Lab is fairly simple, it is “an enabling center” where an individual student, or a group of students, can feel at ease in sharing their ideas and seek support, guidance, and, above all, interact with fellow students, faculty, student entrepreneurs and industry leaders who can act as peers to them to bring their innovative idea into reality.
He continued talking and said: “Now, I would like to warmly welcome all the guests and all the attendees. And I hope we are having a productive and fruitful two days of the opening ceremony, workshops, and the training that follows. I am confident that this new project will significantly contribute towards strengthening the society and human development.”
I would like also to mention my gratitude to the members of the steering committee for their excellent team spirit and cooperation. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to every one of you who has worked tirelessly to ensure the success of our project.
Also, the presidents of both Musol and Northern Technical University presented their speeches. Then the SPARK International Organization Regional manager and experts presented the agendas and programs of the workshop.
On the 9th of November 2021, the Erbil Polytechnic University academic staff delegation consisted of the EPU Rector Assistant for Scientific Affairs Dr. Nageb Toma Bato and the Erbil Technology College Dean Asst. Prof. Dr. Botan Asngar attended the international conference of the Bologna Process in Baghdad. This conference was entitled “Bologna Process in Iraqi Higher Education,” which continued for two days.
The SPARK International Organization implemented the jobs and the perspectives of the project with the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which aims to support innovation in higher education in Iraq. In this conference, different dimensions of updating and developing tertiary systems in Iraqi universities were explored. This conference focused on the different building blocks for a robust and future-proof higher education system in 21st Century.
The European Bologna Process provides a useful framework and inspiration for better education for universities, from student-centered and competency-based lifelong learning concepts to practical tools such as qualification frameworks and the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). And they focus on quality assurance, from Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to Micro-credentials.
