Monthly Archives: June 2026

On Wednesday, 3 June 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Talib Mohammed-Sharif Omer, Dean of Mergasor Technical Institute, met with representatives from Porterville College in Los Angeles, California. Dr. Omer was received by Dr. Thad Russell, Vice President of Porterville College, and Professor Dr. Elissa Queenan, a faculty member at the college. Porterville College shares a formal sister-institution partnership with Mergasor Technical Institute.

Following a session aimed at expanding academic collaboration and institutional ties, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing international education and enhancing scientific cooperation. The Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Higher Education at the University of Zakho also attended the meeting, where the leadership mutually agreed to launch several collaborative academic initiatives with the University of Zakho in the near future.

Porterville College maintains a well-established history under this sister-institution partnership with Mergasor Technical Institute and Erbil Polytechnic University. The institutions have previously collaborated on various academic projects, capacity-building workshops, specialized programs, and symposia. Representatives from Porterville College have also previously conducted official visits to Erbil Polytechnic University, Mergasor Technical Institute, and the Barzan Region.

The discussions concluded after addressing several key strategic areas, including joint research projects, student exchange frameworks, faculty professional development, and the promotion of intercultural diversity. Following the meeting, the Dean and the Vice President of the University of Zakho were hosted by the Porterville College delegation for an institutional reception and a cultural tour of the city.

Media Unit, Mergasor Technical Institute

On Monday, 1 June 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Talib Mohammed Sharif Omer, Dean of Mergasor Technical Institute, accompanied by Assistant Professor Dr. Jassim Mohammed Abdo, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Higher Education at the University of Zakho, alongside a delegation from the U.S. Consulate General in Erbil, visited the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Representation in Washington, D.C. The delegation was warmly received by the representation staff.

During the meeting, discussions focused on establishing strategic academic partnerships with American universities and higher education institutions. Key areas of collaboration explored included faculty and student exchange programs, cultural exchange initiatives, and leveraging prospective academic opportunities to benefit students in the Kurdistan Region.

The staff at the KRG Representation expressed their full support and readiness to facilitate any coordination that advances scientific research and enhances the academic standing of higher education institutions in the Kurdistan Region.

Media Unit, Mergasor Technical Institute

On Tuesday, 26 May 2026, Assistant Professor Dr. Talib Mohammed Sharif Omer, Dean of Mergasor Technical Institute, represented Erbil Polytechnic University at the Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA 2026). Dr. Omer attended alongside delegates from several higher education institutions across the Kurdistan Region. Held in Florida, USA, this year’s conference was themed “Global by Design.”

During the event, Assistant Professor Dr. Omer delivered a presentation entitled “Implementing Diversity in Education and its Impact on Learning in Kurdistan.” On the sidelines of the conference, the Kurdish delegation established key academic networks and signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with international higher education institutions to foster student and faculty development. Additionally, the delegation held bilateral meetings with participating international counterparts to outline the current state and advancements of education and research in the Kurdistan Region.

The NAFSA Annual Conference and Exhibition is the premier global forum dedicated to international education and exchange, drawing thousands of experts and practitioners worldwide. The four-day event commenced on 26 May and concluded on 29 May 2026.

This year’s iteration hosted approximately 8,000 delegates globally, cementing its reputation as one of the field’s most influential gatherings. Agenda highlights focused on pivotal themes, including institutional strategic goals, collaborative research partnerships, aligning higher education with economic development, and social justice. The conference serves as an enduring platform for global educators to deliberate, share institutional insights, and evaluate effective best practices.

Delegates at NAFSA 2026 participated in a diverse array of professional development sessions led by international education experts, covering key industry trends, advocacy, and institutional equity and inclusion.

Founded in 1948, NAFSA: Association of International Educators is the world’s largest non-profit organization dedicated to international education and exchange. Its mission focuses on advancing global learning, fostering cross-cultural understanding, and developing globally competent professionals capable of addressing contemporary global challenges through dedicated academic resources and support frameworks.

Media Unit, Mergasor Technical Institute

 

The main goals of the association are: advancing learning and research through providing resources and support programs for international education, developing understanding and respect among experts, and raising talented individuals who have the ability to solve global challenges.

Media of Mergasor Technical Institute