February 26, 2026, University Press Office (UNPO) | The University of Duhok participated in the kick-off meeting of the regional MOVE Project “enhancing university graduates’ eMplOyability through skills deVElopment and industry collaboration in Kurdistan region of Iraq and Yemen”, held in Sulaimani on 14–15 February 2026. The initiative brings together universities from the Kurdistan Region and Yemen to strengthen graduate employability through skills development, academic reform, and closer cooperation with industry and institutional stakeholders.

The project convenes regional partners including the University of Salahaddin-Erbil, University of Sulaimani, and University of Garmian, together with Yemeni partners such as Hadhramout University and University of Aden. During the meeting, participants coordinated work packages, timelines, and governance structures to guide implementation of the three-year initiative.

The MOVE Project addresses structural challenges facing graduates, particularly the gap between university preparation and labour-market needs. Through curriculum innovation, applied training, entrepreneurship promotion, and university–industry partnerships, the initiative seeks to equip students with practical competencies, teamwork abilities, communication skills, and sustainability awareness, while supporting opportunities in emerging sectors such as the green economy.

For UoD, participation reinforces key pillars of its Strategic Plan, including international engagement, employability-driven education, and sustainable development. By contributing to this regional initiative, the university strengthens its role as an active partner in higher-education reform and in preparing graduates for competitive regional and global labour markets.

UOD Achievement Highlights

Launching the MOVE Project initiative, UOD:

• Expands academic cooperation across Kurdistan Region and Yemen
  
  
• Supports curriculum modernization and innovation-focused skills training
  
  
• Promotes green-economy competencies and sustainable development awareness
  
  
• Reinforces UOD’s strategic focus on international engagement and labour-market alignment

University Press Office, February 26, 2026
By: Fatima Mahmood Ali