UoD, October 18, 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) — The University of Duhok (UoD), through its Directorate of International Relations (DOIR), in collaboration with the Career Development Center (CDC), held a workshop to disseminate the RISE Project’s Synergic Roadmaps on internationalisation and employability. The workshop, held on October 14, brought together representatives of the Directorate of International Relations across UoD colleges and academic centres at the University’s Cultural and Social Center to discuss practical measures for strengthening international cooperation, developing students’ professional skills, and aligning higher education with labour market needs.

The RISE Project — Reinforcing Integration of Skills for Employability and Internationalization in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq — aims to strengthen institutional capacity in internationalisation and improve students’ readiness for employment. The workshop focused on translating the project’s roadmaps into coordinated actions and developing short-, medium-, and long-term plans to advance the work of DOIR and enhance the role of the CDC in supporting students and graduates.

In his remarks, Dr. Nazar Ameen Mohammed, Director of International Relations at UoD, outlined the importance of establishing practical plans to improve the Directorate’s work, expand scholarship opportunities, and strengthen coordination with the Career Development Center. He emphasised the need to turn international partnerships into active opportunities that benefit students, academic staff, and the University as a whole.

The discussions on internationalisation highlighted the activation of existing memoranda of understanding (MoUs), the development of student and staff exchange opportunities, capacity-building programmes for international relations personnel, and the promotion of joint and double-degree programmes. The roadmap also emphasises improving international visibility, encouraging student participation in mobility programmes, and strengthening institutional coordination with colleges through annual plans and clearly defined objectives.

Dr. Tara Ihsan Abdullah addressed the employability roadmap, focusing on strengthening the connection between university education and labour market requirements. Key priorities include reviewing and updating curricula to reflect employers’ needs, expanding student internships to earlier years of study, improving career guidance, and strengthening cooperation with the private sector. The roadmap also proposes developing a university-wide internship database, appointing career development focal points in colleges, and supporting student entrepreneurship through mentorship and the establishment of a business incubator.

The roadmaps set out a phased approach for implementation between 2026 and 2030. Short-term priorities include expanding internship opportunities, training academic staff, and strengthening coordination across colleges. Medium-term measures include introducing short certificate courses and establishing regular engagement with business stakeholders, while longer-term plans include developing programmes in high-demand fields and establishing a central innovation hub. These measures aim to improve graduate employment outcomes, foster innovation, and make university-industry collaboration a more integral part of academic development.

The workshop reflects the University of Duhok’s commitment, in line with its Strategic Plan, to internationalisation, student-centred learning, employability, innovation, and strategic partnerships. Through the RISE Project, UoD seeks to strengthen institutional cooperation, create more opportunities for students to gain international and practical experience, and ensure that academic programmes respond more effectively to the evolving needs of society and the labour market.

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University Press Office, October 18, 2026
Reported by: Barin Mohammed Ahmed
Photography: Mohammed A. Tahar

The News Keywords

• University of Duhok RISE Project
• Internationalisation of Higher Education
• Graduate Employability in Kurdistan
• Career Development Center (CDC)
• University-Industry Collaboration