On Tuesday, May 20, 2025, Erbil Polytechnic University (EPU) hosted a certificate awarding ceremony at the University Presidency to honor participants of the professional development program titled “Bridging Between Cultures in Education.”
The event was held in the presence of Prof. Dr. Edrees Mohammed Tahir Harki, Rector of Erbil Polytechnic University; Dr. Talib Mohammed Sharif Omer, Dean of Mergasor Technical Institute; representatives from the Office of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Dr. Thad Russell, Vice President of Porterville College in California, USA; as well as deans, faculty members, and other distinguished guests.
The ceremony commenced with welcoming remarks delivered by Dr. Talib Omer in both Kurdish and English, highlighting the significance of international collaboration in the field of education. This was followed by speeches from Prof. Dr. Edrees Harki and Dr. Thad Russell, both emphasizing the importance of global partnerships in advancing educational practices and teacher development.
This initiative was carried out under the framework of a Memorandum of Understanding between Porterville College and Mergasor Technical Institute, affiliated with EPU. The program, which ran from November 2024toMarch 25, 2025, aimed to build a bridge between educators from Kurdistan and their peers worldwide.
A total of 73 participants—including 51 university lecturers and 22 K-12 teachers—successfully completed the course. Delivered online through Canvas and Zoom platforms, the program included five intensive modules covering a range of topics such as:
• The impact of culture on education
• Effective classroom design
• High-impact teaching practices
• Measurable learning outcomes
• Lesson planning
The program provided a valuable opportunity for educators to explore global pedagogical theories and share best practices.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, certificates were presented to all participants by instructors from Porterville College and the Dean of Mergasor Technical Institute.
This event marks a significant milestone in the continued efforts to foster international academic collaboration and promote professional development in the education sector across the Kurdistan Region.