On May 18, 2023, the University of Duhok had the privilege of hosting a delegation from the Scottish University of Glasgow, United Kingdom, as part of the Erasmus Plus Initiative, Key Action One, International Mobility. This visit aimed to foster international collaborations and broaden partnerships between the two Universities.
The delegation was warmly received by Dr. Ali Tatar, the Governor of Duhok, at the Governorate of Duhok's building. A productive meeting ensued, focusing on potential collaborations between the universities, with a specific emphasis on urbanization, its roots, and future developments.
Following the meeting, a symposium titled "Learning Cities and International Collaborations" was organized at the UOD's Convention Center. Esteemed professors and directors from the University of Glasgow, including Michael Osborne, John Reubin Davis, Mary Ryan, Yulia Nesterova, and Kristie Wild, participated in the event. They shared their extensive knowledge and experiences in various academic and social fields through presentations and a panel discussion.
One notable presentation was delivered by Michael Osborne, a professor from the University of Glasgow and the Director of Pascal Observatory on Learning Cities, Place and Social Capital. His talk, titled "Learning Cities in Global Context," explored the concept of a "Learning City" and its potential to leverage educational resources for economic development and inclusive education. Prof. Osborne expressed his hope for the city of Duhok to join their network and work towards becoming a UNESCO Learning City, potentially earning the prestigious UNESCO learning city award.
The Pascal International Observatory, operating from regional offices across Africa, Asia (including Duhok), Australia, Europe, and the U.S., plays a crucial role in implementing policies that enhance living and working conditions at local and regional levels. It serves as a platform for sharing international developments in social capital and learning regions, contributing to economic and social development.
Another distinguished participant, Yulia Nesterova, a lecturer in international comparative education at the University of Glasgow, shed light on peacebuilding, human rights, and youth engagement. She highlighted the impactful role of involving young people in peacebuilding efforts in both marginalized and affluent areas of Glasgow. Her presentation explored the youth's perception of peace, justice, and human rights within their communities and their commitment to peacebuilding and justice in society.
Following the presentations, a panel discussion was conducted, with the five professors and Dr. Kamal Aziz Ketuly as the moderator. The panel delved into research proposal projects and partnership developments aimed at addressing the challenges of modern society. Fruitful discussions ensued, fostering a deeper understanding and collaboration between the universities.
To conclude the event, the delegation met with the President of the University of Duhok at its Presidency. Both parties expressed their shared interest in fostering future partnerships and agreements, highlighting the potential for fruitful collaborations between the University of Duhok and the University of Glasgow.
This symposium served as a significant step towards broadening international collaborations and promoting the concept of learning cities. The University of Duhok looks forward to furthering its engagement with international partners and contributing to the advancement of education and societal development.
The University of Glasgow, founded in 1451, is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities located in Glasgow, Scotland. Ranked among the top 100 universities globally, it is widely recognized for its academic excellence, innovation, and transformative educational experience. With a rich heritage spanning over five centuries, the university offers a diverse range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. Its commitment to groundbreaking research and interdisciplinary collaboration contributes to advancements in knowledge and addresses global challenges. With state-of-the-art facilities, world-class faculty, and a strong network of alumni, the University of Glasgow prepares students to become the next generation of leaders, innovators, and global citizens.
THE UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK
The University of Duhok (UOD) is a public university in the city of Duhok city, which is about 150 km northwest of Erbil (Arbil, Hewlér), the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region (KRI). The city is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by high mountains. The university campus is a large green area in the city's west side that provides an exciting view of the city and surrounding nature. UOD was founded in October 1992 with only two colleges to meet the region's growing demand for graduate professionals. Today, the UOD has a 19-college with 67 departments, nearly 24000 students, and over 4000 academic and administrative staff. Students thrive in one of the best regional academic communities, studying in programs such as Agriculture, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, Humanities, Linguistics, Basic Education, and Economics as well as Spatial Planning. UOD has strong engagement through its International Relations with many Higher Education institutions and centres of excellence worldwide, such as Purdue University, Indiana University (IU), New York University (NYU), The University of Noter Dame (ND), The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA), BridgeWater State University in the USA, The University of Warsaw - Poland, The University of Glasgow - Scotland, The University of Twente - The Netherlands, Leipzig University, LLC University, University of Oldenburg, The University of Vechta, Europa-Universität Flensburg, TU Dortmund university, THM Giessen University in Germany, The University of Tuscia, The university of Pavia, Sapienza Università di Roma in Italy, The University of Deusto, The University of Barcelona, The University of Granada (UGR) in Spain, Lund University - Sweden, The University of Sussex in the UK, Tampere University - Finland, and so many more. The University of Duhok is an active member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), The UNIMED, the Mediterranean Universities Union, and The Association of Arab Universities (AARU).
UOD Media; May 28, 2023
Fatima Mahmood
Photo Credits: Mohammed AbdulKareem, Ali Banki