As a result of the continuous efforts of Prof. Dr. Edrees Muhamad Tahir Harki, the Rector of Erbil Polytechnic University, to internationalize the university and gain international trust, Erbil Polytechnic University became a member of the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI) network.
The United Nations, as a global organization, had many members from different countries and included many institutions and organizations in the fields of education, science, culture, and academic development. UNAI was one of those organizations, and it worked with 1,700 institutions in 156 countries to make academic impact through cooperation. Erbil Polytechnic University, as a higher education center in the Kurdistan Region, joined the UNAI network as a new member. It cooperated with the institutions of this organization to achieve the global goals of the United Nations such as peace, human rights, sustainable development, providing education opportunities for refugees and displaced people, and protecting the environment.
It is worth mentioning that Erbil Polytechnic University, in its strategic plan, worked on many of these UNAI goals, especially serving the community and protecting the environment, and took real steps toward them.
Prof.Dr. Edrees Muhamad Tahir Harki, the Rector of Erbil Polytechnic University, welcomed a delegation from Middle Euphrates Technical University, led by Dr. Hassan Kazem Latif Zubaidi, the Rector of that university. In the meeting, Asst.Prof. Dr. Azad Hassan Qadir, Vice Rector for Administrative and Financial Affairs, and asst. Prof Dr. Botan Majid Asinger, Vice Rector for Scientific and Higher Education Affairs, along with several members of the university council and heads of departments from both universities, were present. They discussed the steps to follow up on the agreement that was signed between the two universities in the middle of last February.
Also, during the meeting, they decided to hold a joint scientific conference. Both universities formed a team to talk in detail about how to organize the conference and began preparing for it.
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, representatives from Mergasor Technical Institute and Porterville College in California, USA, undertook a commemorative visit to the historic and sacred sites in Barzan, including the Shrine Place, the Barzani Memorial, and the monument dedicated to the victims of the Barzani genocide.
The visit followed the closing ceremony of a joint educational initiative titled “A Bridge Between Cultures in Education”, during which certificates were awarded to course participants in recognition of their engagement and achievement. The ceremony marked a significant milestone in fostering cross-cultural collaboration in education between the Kurdistan Region and the United States.
Following the event, the delegation from Mergasor Technical Institute, accompanied by Porterville College staff, was warmly received by Mr. Khalat Barzani, the official representative of President Masoud Barzani at the Shrine Place. During the visit, the Vice President of Porterville College laid a wreath at the grave of the late General Mulla Mustafa Barzani, paying tribute to the iconic Kurdish leader.
The Porterville College team also delivered a brief address acknowledging the historical significance of the site and expressed their solidarity with the Kurdish people. The delegation proceeded to tour the Barzani Museum, where they were welcomed by the museum’s staff and guided through exhibits highlighting the legacy and struggles of the Barzani family.
Concluding the visit, the delegation paid their respects at the monument commemorating the victims of the Barzani genocide, where they were received by the director and staff of the site. The visit served as a poignant reminder of shared human values and the importance of cultural understanding and historical remembrance.
On Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Mergasor Technical Institute, part of Erbil Polytechnic University, hosted a certificate awarding ceremony to recognize the participants of the international training course titled “Bridging Cultures in Education: A Global Approach.”
The event was held in the presence of Dr. Talib Mohammed Sharif Omer, Dean of Mergasor Technical Institute; Dr. Thad Russell, Vice President of Porterville College in California, USA; Professor Dr. Elissa Queenan from Porterville College, California as well as members of the Institute Council board members , faculty, staff, and students.
Dr. Omer opened the ceremony with welcoming remarks delivered in both Kurdish and English, expressing appreciation for the international partnership and the participants’ dedication. This was followed by a speech from Dr. Thad Russell, who highlighted the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in education.
The course was launched as part of an academic cooperation agreement between Porterville College and Mergasor Technical Institute under the broader framework of a Memorandum of Understanding with Erbil Polytechnic University.
Designed to build bridges between educators globally, the program ran from November 2024 toMarch 10, 2025, with the participation of 51 university lecturers and 22 K-12 teachers from across the region.
Conducted online through the Canvas and Zoom platforms, the course included five in-depth modules covering key topics such as: • The impact of higher education and culture • Effective classroom design • High-impact teaching practices • Understanding students and designing effective lessons • Identifying and addressing cultural, economic, and social barriers to equitable education
The program also offered a platform for integrating global pedagogical theories and sharing innovative teaching strategies.
At the conclusion of the event, certificates of completion were awarded to all participants by Professor Dr. Elissa Queenan from Porterville College, California,USA
This initiative underscores the Institute’s ongoing commitment to international collaboration and professional development for educators, aiming to foster a more inclusive and globally connected educational environment.
