Cologne, Germany | October 2, 2025 | University Press Office (UNPO) | In a major step toward advancing international academic cooperation, the University of Duhok (UOD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Cologne (UoC), one of Germany’s leading universities in medicine, research, and higher education.

The agreement, signed on September 30, 2025, between the College of Medicine at UOD and the Faculty of Medicine at UoC, reflects UOD’s strategic commitment to enhancing its global academic partnerships, expanding medical research, and strengthening higher education internationalization in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

The UOD delegation, led by Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, President of the University of Duhok, included Dr. Dildar Haji Musa, Dean of the College of Medicine; Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Salih, Dean of the College of Nursing; and Dr. Muayad Aghali Merza, Professor at the College of Medicine. They were officially received by Prof. Dr. Jens Peter Klußmann, Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at UoC, and participated in a series of scientific meetings, discussions, and site visits to key academic and research departments.

High-Level Talks with Rector of University of Cologne and DAAD President

On October 1, 2025, the UOD delegation met with Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, Rector of the University of Cologne and President of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD). The discussions focused on expanding joint academic work, fostering student and faculty exchange programs, and developing collaborative research projects in the field of infectious diseases and medical sciences.

Prof. Mukherjee welcomed the high-level UOD delegation, praising UOD’s commitment to internationalization and affirming UoC’s readiness to deepen collaboration. He also highlighted DAAD’s longstanding role in supporting higher education in the Kurdistan Region, including key initiatives at UOD.

Research and Site Visits: Building Academic Bridges

During the two-day visit, the UOD delegation toured some of Cologne’s most advanced research facilities, including the Center for Infectious Diseases (CIM), the Infectious Diseases outpatient clinic, the Infectious Diseases Study Center, the University Pharmacy, the Department of Microbiology, and the world-renowned research centers CECAD (Cluster of Excellence in Aging Research) and DZIF (German Center for Infection Research).

The delegation engaged with distinguished German professors, including Prof. Dr. Gerd Fätkenheuer, Dr. Fabian Weiland, and Dr. Benjamin Köckemann, exploring future opportunities for research collaboration, medical training, and academic exchanges.

Strategic Significance for UOD

This landmark visit marks an important milestone in the University of Duhok’s Strategic Plan, which prioritizes:

• Enhancing international collaborations with leading global universities.
  
  
• Strengthening medical education and research capacity.
  
  
• Expanding student and staff mobility opportunities.
  
  
• Promoting institutional visibility on the international stage.
  
  

Through this partnership, UOD not only enhances its academic reputation but also positions itself as a key regional hub for cutting-edge medical research and international cooperation.

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University Press Office, October 2, 2025
Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali, Hussein Ismael Mohammed

The News Keywords

• University of Duhok international cooperation
• University of Cologne partnership Kurdistan
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• Academic exchange University of Duhok