TU Dortmund University – December 9, 2025 | University Press Office (UNPO) – The University of Duhok (UOD), represented by Dr. Basheer Ahmed Mohammed Saeed, Head of the Department of Spatial Planning at the College of City and Regional Planning, participated in the annual SPRING Network Meeting held on November 20–21, 2025, at TU Dortmund University. The meeting brought together partner universities from across the SPRING (Spatial Planning for Regions in Growing Economies) network to discuss program updates, future collaboration, and strategic directions.

Updates on UOD’s Master’s Program in Spatial Planning

During the meeting, Dr. Basheer Ahmed Mohammed Saeed, Head of the Department of Spatial Planning and UOD Program Coordinator for SPRING-related academic collaboration with TU Dortmund University, presented recent developments in UOD’s Master of Science in Spatial Planning program. Since the first batch started its study in 2021, the program has successfully graduated two cohorts, with a third expected to be admitted next year, marking a significant milestone in the program’s maturity.

Despite the regional freeze on postgraduate admissions in 2023–2024 and 2024–2025, positive progress has emerged. Following a support letter issued by TU Dortmund University to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in KRG via UOD, postgraduate admissions are now expected to resume in February/March 2026, with annual and autonomous intakes reaffirmed by UOD’s Presidency.

UOD also extended an official invitation to professors from SPRING partner universities to contribute to teaching activities and postgraduate programs across the SPRING network strengthening international collaboration and enhancing the quality of academic exchange.

Duhok’s Unique Contribution to the SPRING Network

A key message emphasized during the meeting highlighted Duhok’s distinctive thematic contribution to the network. The UOD Master’s program focuses on spatial planning in crisis-affected and climate-stressed regions, shaped by real-world challenges such as:

• Refugee and IDP influxes
• Drought and water scarcity
• Resource conflicts
• Environmental degradation and climate change

Proposal to Host the SPRING Meeting in 2027

During the discussions, Dr. Basheer proposed hosting the SPRING Annual Meeting 2027 in Duhok. The proposal was warmly welcomed by partner universities. (The 2026 meeting is already scheduled at another partner location.)

About the SPRING International Master’s Program

SPRING (Spatial Planning for Regions in Growing Economies) is a two-year joint Master’s program focusing on integrated regional development planning and management. Students complete their first academic year at TU Dortmund University, followed by a second year at one of the partner universities in:

• Ghana
• Tanzania
• The Philippines
• Brazil
• Chile

The program awards a joint M.Sc. Degree in Regional Development Planning and Management, issued by TU Dortmund and the respective partner university.

Within the SPRING (Spatial Planning for Regions in Growing Economies) network, the University of Duhok participates as an academic and strategic partner university, UOD’s role focuses on academic exchange, curriculum dialogue, network governance, and thematic contribution, particularly in crisis-affected and climate-stressed contexts. In parallel, UOD independently offers its own accredited Master’s program in Spatial Planning, aligned with international standards and national regulations.

Alignment with UOD’s Strategic Vision

UOD’s active participation in the SPRING Network supports the university’s Strategic Plan (2023–2038), particularly its pillars of:

• International academic cooperation
• Capacity development and academic excellence
• Global visibility and strategic partnerships
• Applied research in crisis and climate contexts

Through its contributions, UOD enhances its reputation as a regional leader in sustainable development, internationalization, and innovative spatial planning education.

For more information on UOD’s strategic initiatives and academic collaborations, Visit UOD Highlights

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University Press Office – December 9, 2025
Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali, Aland Kamal Othman

The News Keywords

• SPRING Network
• TU Dortmund University
• University of Duhok
• Spatial Planning
• International Academic Cooperation