On Thursday 13th of January 2022, in his office, the EPU Rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Kawa Abdulkareem Sherwani, offered the certification of participation to the lecturers who attended the TESOL programme. Imperial English Institute of UK managed this programme on an online-based course.
This course started in November 2021 in collaboration with the EPU International Relations Office, which focused on learning and teaching English language techniques. Six EPU lecturers attended this course and received participation certificates.
The TESOL course was within the memorandum of understanding signed by the Erbil Polytechnic University and Imperial English Institute of the UK.
On Tuesday 11th of January 2022, within the Erbil Polytechnic University weekly Seminar Holding, the Exterior Activities Department held a seminar for Dr. Bashir Khalil Haddad, the Former Iraqi Parliament President Deputy, in the EPU Presidency Celebration Hall. This seminar was about “Political and Governmental Transformation in the new Iraqi government.”
At the beginning of the seminar, where many EPU council members, directors, lecturers, and students were available, the University Rector Asst. Prof. Dr. Kawa Abdulkareem Sherwani expressed his gratitude and appreciation towards Dr. Bashir Haddad for holding this event. He also welcomed the guests and assured them that the EPU would continue such events at the EPU as they were on hold because of the pandemic Corona Virus in the condition of implementing protection instructions. His Excellency, the EPU Rector, said: “The university does not only include lectures, students, and lecturers, but it should adapt scientific activities, literary and political culture as they are factors which enhance and develop our university lecturers and students’ intellectual level.
Then, the seminar began, and Dr. Bashir Khalil Haddad talked about the new Iraqi political process and the changes and transformations from 2003 till Kadhemi’s cabinet. He also explained the Iraqi Election Law Amendment and the factors of resolving the government and parliament of the previous league.
In another part of his speech, the former Iraqi Parliament President Deputy spoke about the fifth election league result and shed light on the wined parties. Such parties lost some seats, and he clarified their threats. Later, he explained the importance of establishing the government of the majority, and he said we do not have a good experience with the consensus government. He said in my opinion; we should try the government of the majority; although it has advantages and disadvantages. But I think it has more positivity.
He talked about the main controversial issues between Erbil and Baghdad and how both sides deal with the problems. Implementing law can solve some of these issues like the oil and gas issues—some others by politics through negotiations. Unfortunately still, we do not see a federalism mentality inside Baghdad. The parties acted by central government mentality with the Kurdistan Region, which caused huge problems.
Finally, the discussion gate opened for the attendees. They had some questions and comments answered clearly and honestly by Dr. Bashir Haddad.
At the end of the event, the university Rector offered the Erbil polytechnic placket to Dr. Bashir Khalil Haddad and thanked him for conducting the seminar.
On Monday, 10th of January 2022, the EPU Rector Assistant for Scientific Affairs in his office received the International SPARK Organization General Manager and his delegation.
In this meeting, the Quality Assurance Director, Mr. Kamal Muhammad Abdulla, and the Cultural Relations Unit Asst. Prof. Dr. Abdullah Omer Yasin was present. The Rector Assistant talked about the EPU’s Relationship with the SPARK International Organization. He highly evaluated the support our university receives from this international organization from signing a memorandum of Understanding with them in 2019 till now.
Meanwhile, SPARK expressed their appreciation for the support and collaboration they gained during their work with the EPU. They implemented many activities together such as instruments’ purchase, enhancing education programs in Marketing, English language, and AutoCAD. They side by side performed internship programs for the students to enable them to work with the companies in which SPARK financially supported them to continue.
In this event, both sides mentioned some projects and ideas to implement in the future, like supporting the EPU to implement Bologna Process, building relationships, and links between our university and international universities. Even after completing their works in Kurdistan, our university can stand steel in continuously developing projects. Another point of the meeting was our university’s suggestion to gain funds from European Union through the SPARK international Organization to conduct training courses in writing proposals and projects.
It is worth mentioning that both parties recently work on Innovation Lab Program that offers grant funding to social safety net providers to research or plan projects, develop proof-of-concept ideas, or pilot new projects or service delivery models.
On Monday 10th of January 2022, the Erbil Polytechnic University Rector, accompanied by a delegation consisting of several University Council Members and Directors, visited three universities, the Duhok Polytechnic University, Duhok, and Zakho, where the Presidents of the named universities received them.
This visit aimed to congratulate the Duhok Polytechnic, Duhok, and Zakho Presidents for taking over the University Presidency. And another purpose of this visit was to collaborate with them to hold a joint scientific conference with the three universities.