In a significant step towards enhancing international academic collaboration, the University of Duhok and VSB - Technical University of Ostrava has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) during a virtual meeting. The signing marks a pivotal moment in fostering educational and research partnerships between the two institutions, aiming to advance scholarly interaction and cultural interchange.

The virtual ceremony was attended by esteemed representatives from both universities. From the University of Duhok, attendees included President Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, Dr. Nabaz Ibraheem Mohammed, Dr. Mohammed Aziz Ibrahem, Dr. Nazar Ameen Mohammed and Dr. Jalal Hassan Younis, the coordinator of this Memorandum from UOD side. The delegation from the Czech university comprised Rector Dr. Václav Snášel, Vice Dean Dr. Václav Zubíček, Assistant Dr. Jiri Malis, and representatives from the International Relations Department, Zuzana Strobochova, Kamila Pokorna, and Martin Klempa.

Both presidents expressed their enthusiasm for this new partnership. The president of the University of Duhok highlighted the importance of such collaborations for advancing educational excellence and research capabilities. Meanwhile, the Rector of VSB - Technical University of Ostrava emphasized the mutual benefits of the MoU, noting the university's prior engagements with the Kurdistan region.

The MoU sets a framework for collaborative research, academic exchanges, and various forms of academic cooperation. This partnership is expected to significantly contribute to the global academic community, fostering innovation and cross-cultural understanding between Kurdistan Region and the Czech Republic.

THE UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK

The University of Duhok (UOD) is a public university in the city of Duhok city, which is about 150 km northwest of Erbil (Arbil, Hewlér), the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region (KRI). The city is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by high mountains. The university campus is a large green area in the city's west side that provides an exciting view of the city and surrounding nature. UOD was founded in October 1992 with only two colleges to meet the region's growing demand for graduate professionals. Today, the UOD has a 19-college with 67 departments, nearly 24000 students, and over 4000 academic and administrative staff. Students thrive in one of the best regional academic communities, studying in programs such as Agriculture, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, Humanities, Linguistics, Basic Education, and Economics as well as Spatial Planning. UOD has strong engagement through its International Relations with many Higher Education institutions and centres of excellence worldwide, such as Purdue University, Indiana University (IU), New York University (NYU), The University of Noter Dame (ND), The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA), BridgeWater State University in the USA, The University of Warsaw - Poland, The University of Glasgow - Scotland, The University of Twente - The Netherlands, Leipzig University, LLC University, University of Oldenburg, The University of Vechta, Europa-Universität Flensburg, TU Dortmund university, THM Giessen University in Germany, The University of Tuscia, The university of Pavia, Sapienza Università di Roma in Italy, The University of Deusto, The University of Barcelona, The University of Granada (UGR) in Spain, Lund University - Sweden, The University of Sussex in the UK, Tampere University - Finland, University of Sharjah and University of Khorfakkan in UAE, and so many more. The University of Duhok is an active member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), The UNIMED, the Mediterranean Universities Union, and The Association of Arab Universities (AARU).

UOD Media; July 4, 2024

Ismat Khabour and Mahir Tahir Kestayi

Photo: Hussein Titimy