Sulaimani, November 9 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) — The University of Sulaimani hosted the second public conference of the Erasmus+ TRANSITION Project on Wednesday, November 4, 2026. The event brought together academics, heritage experts, government representatives and community stakeholders to discuss the protection of cultural heritage and the rights of minority communities.

Held under the theme “Protection and Preservation of Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage and Cultural Rights,” the conference provided a platform for discussing ways to protect historical sites, preserve traditional knowledge and strengthen the role of communities in safeguarding their cultural identity.

Representing the University of Duhok (UoD), the project's coordinating university, Dr. Dilshad Abduljabbar Haleem, Vice President of the University and TRANSITION Project Coordinator, attended as the guest of honour and delivered remarks during the opening ceremony.

The opening session featured remarks by Dr. Zana M. Hassan, Vice President for Scientific Affairs at the University of Sulaimani, followed by an address by the TRANSITION Project Coordinator.

The conference programme addressed several key themes:

• Institutional responsibility for heritage protection: Discussions on the roles of government bodies, international organisations and universities in safeguarding tangible cultural heritage.
• Cultural heritage and human rights: Presentations on the right to participate in cultural life and the importance of protecting the cultural rights of minority communities.
• Preserving intangible cultural heritage: Discussions on traditional knowledge, cultural practices and the contributions of minority communities.
• The role of universities: Experiences and good practices in heritage preservation, including curriculum development and lessons from field visits.
• Digital tools for heritage preservation: Introducing the TRANSITION Digital Toolkit and its potential contribution to cultural heritage protection.

A stakeholder panel on “Government and International Players in Protecting Tangible Cultural Heritage” brought together representatives of heritage authorities and academic institutions, including Hashim H. Abdullah, Director of Antiquities and Heritage in Slemani; Dr. Zryan S. Hama Arif, Head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sulaimani; and Prof. Dr. Hardi M. Mika of the Kurdistan Center for Academic Research.

The conference concluded with an open discussion and recommendations for the project's position paper, bringing together the main points raised during the sessions.

From Zakho to Sulaimani: Continuing the Dialogue

The Sulaimani gathering followed the first TRANSITION public conference, hosted by the University of Zakho on November 2, 2026, which focused on risk management for cultural heritage. While the Zakho event examined the risks threatening cultural heritage, the Sulaimani conference placed greater emphasis on cultural rights, minority participation and the role of institutions and communities in preservation.

The partners' programme continued on November 5 at the University of Sulaimani, with activities focusing on:

• Networking, sustainability and future cooperation among project partners.
• Presentations on the partners' Training of Trainers (ToT) activities.
• Discussions on cultural heritage, education and sustainable development.
• A roundtable on cooperation among universities, heritage institutions, communities and policymakers.
• Preparation of the project's position paper and the Students' Creative Contest.
• A briefing on the upcoming third public conference, scheduled to take place in Duhok.

About the Erasmus+ TRANSITION Project

The conferences form part of Work Package 5 of the Erasmus+ TRANSITION Project, entitled “Preserving the Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage of Minority Communities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and in Yemen.”

Coordinated by the University of Duhok, the project brings together eight partner institutions:

• University of Duhok (Coordinator)
• University of Évora, Portugal
• Sapienza University of Rome
• UNIMED
• University of Aden
• University of Sulaimani
• University of Zakho
• Soran University

Through its coordination of the TRANSITION Project, the University of Duhok continues to strengthen international academic partnerships and support efforts to preserve the cultural heritage of minority communities.

Strategic Alignment

The TRANSITION Project supports the University of Duhok's Strategic Plan 2023–2038, particularly its pillars of Meaningful Contributions to Society and Pioneering Institution in Higher Education. Through international collaboration, academic exchange and engagement with minority communities, the project contributes to cultural preservation, knowledge sharing and sustainable community development.

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University Press Office, November 9, 2026
Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali

News Keywords

• Erasmus+ TRANSITION Project
• Cultural Heritage Preservation
• Minority Rights and Cultural Heritage
• International Academic Partnerships
• Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage