On July 9–10, 2025, Dr. Talib Omar, Dean of Mergasur Technical Institute, accompanied by Prof. Dr Idris Mohammed Tahir Harki, Rector of Erbil Polytechnic University, took part in the General Assembly of the Union of Mediterranean Universities, which was held in Italy. The participation followed an official invitation, as Erbil Polytechnic University is an active member of the Union.
The assembly brought together a number of representatives from more than 178 universities across Europe, Africa, and Asia, with delegates from over 25 countries in attendance.
The first day featured high-level discussions led by the Presidents of the Union of Mediterranean Universities, the European University Association(EUA), and the Association of Arab Universities.
Key topics included the internationalization of higher education, enhancement of academic staff capacity, leadership in institutional governance, integration of technology in education, employability skills development, quality assurance, and fostering networks of collaboration. Special emphasis was placed on cultural exchange, refugee education, and training programs.
On the second day, participants reviewed ongoing initiatives and programs of the Union of Mediterranean Universities, including joint projects supported by the European Union and Erasmus+ programs. Erbil Polytechnic University is currently engaged in two collaborative projects with several Italian and Spanish partner institutions.
During the event, the Rector and the Dean held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives of participating universities to explore avenues for academic cooperation and discuss potential memoranda of understanding.
