UOD, 27th April 2025, University Press Office (UNPO)  | As part of its ongoing commitment to global engagement and academic excellence, the University of Duhok (UOD) successfully organized a series of consultative workshops titled "Roadmap for Internationalisation" under the framework of the European Union-funded RISE Project (Reinforcing Integration of Skills for Employability and Internationalisation in Kurdistan Region of Iraq).

Held on April 15, 17, and 22, 2025, these strategic sessions targeted three focus groups—academic staff, students, and administrative staff—with the aim of building an integrated, feedback-driven roadmap for enhancing UOD’s international presence, partnerships, and educational practices.

🎯 Strategic Vision and Engagement Across Stakeholders

 The workshops, led by Dr. Nazar Ameen Mohammed, Director of the International Relations Office at UOD, provided an open platform for participants to discuss UOD’s international priorities, capacity-building needs, and future aspirations. Key thematic areas included:

• Expanding academic and research partnerships with international universities.
   
• Promoting mobility programs for students, staff, and faculty.
   
• Enhancing welcoming services for foreign delegations and visiting scholars.
   
• Integrating employability and global competences into curricula.
   
• Developing joint and double degree programs with European institutions.
   

Each workshop involved dynamic exchanges on:

• What areas need to be included in UOD's internationalisation strategy?
   
• How should these initiatives be implemented (short-, medium-, and long-term plans)?
   
• Who are the key actors in driving these initiatives forward?
   
• What are the main challenges and expectations for UOD?
   

✅ Participants: A Multi-Stakeholder Approach 

The participants included professors, researchers, students, and administrative staff, representing a comprehensive cross-section of the UOD community, ensuring a holistic vision for the university's international future.

✅ Upcoming Step: Consolidation and Regional Sharing

 The insights gathered during these focus groups are currently being analyzed and will culminate in a comprehensive roadmap document. UOD will present its finalized roadmap at the upcoming RISE regional meeting at Sulaimani Polytechnic University in the upcoming June, where it will join six other participating universities: Duhok Polytechnic University, University of Zakho, Erbil polytechnic University, Akre University for Applied Sciences, University of Garmian and Sulaimani polytechnic University, in collectively shaping the internationalisation strategies for Kurdistan’s higher education sector.

🔹 Project RISE: Context and Broader Impact 

This initiative directly stems from the RISE Kick-Off Meeting hosted at UOD in February 2025, where the university demonstrated strong leadership in advancing employability and internationalisation reforms within Iraq’s academic landscape. UOD’s active participation in Work Package 2 (Definition of Roadmaps) further cements its strategic role in the consortium.

🧩 Aligning with UOD’s Strategic Vision 2023–2038

 This activity is a vital part of the University of Duhok's broader mission to:

• Foster global academic collaboration and cross-cultural exchange.
   
• Empower students and staff with international competences.
   
• Integrate international best practices into institutional development.
   
• Increase UOD’s visibility and ranking among global higher education institutions.
   

💬 Quote from Dr. Nazar Ameen Mohammed:

"Building an inclusive and sustainable roadmap for internationalisation is crucial for positioning UOD as a leader in higher education regionally and globally. These workshops harness the collective insights of our community to design a future we all believe in."

📸 Please click to access the Media Coverage for this News 

UOD Media, April 27, 2025

Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali

Photography by: 

1. Mohammed Abdulkareem Tahir,
2.  Ali Habib Habib,
3. Hussein Isamel Mohammed, 
4. Harman Jangeer Ahmed

🔍 The News Keywords:

• University of Duhok Internationalisation Strategy
• RISE Project Kurdistan Universities
• Academic Mobility and Global Partnerships UOD
• Employability and International Education Reform
• UOD Strategic Plan for Global Engagement