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.
