International Research Capacity Building Workshop R & D
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Researches, apparatus of supervision and Quality Assurance of Kurdistan Regional Government under the supervision and support of the Prime Minister’s Office, in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Scientific Research in Iraq and the Higher Committee for Education Development in Council Ministers in Iraq, as well as several Iraqi universities, the Tishk International University hosted the International Research Capacity Building Workshop from 1st to 3rd of June 2024 in collaboration with the Salahaddin University, Hawler Medical University, and Knowledge University and involved more than 10 respected universities from the UK (University of Glasgow, University of Dundee, University College of London, School of Education and Social Work, Middlesex University, University of Nottingham, University of Leicester, Aston University, Cambridge University, Bournemouth University, University of Sussex, and Loughborough University).
The participation of these universities in the workshop will be essential in establishing and strengthening long-term collaborations between the Kurdistan region and British universities. The participation of these UK universities will augment the calibre and efficacy of the workshop, as attendees will have the chance to engage with and acquire knowledge from seasoned academics and researchers affiliated with these institutions.
The welcome speech was delivered by Assit.Prof. Dr. Idris Hadi Saleh, the Head of Board Trustee, representing all Kurdistan Universities. He highlighted the objectives of these workshops, which include fostering collaborations with international research institutions, enhancing research quality and impact, exchanging expertise between UK academics and policymakers in the Kurdistan region and Iraq, and providing valuable insights for decision-making by senior managers in the government and private sector. The purpose of this initiative is to establish a research council consisting of individuals from the UK and KRI. The main goals are to enhance the research culture in the KRI and Iraq as a whole, and to ensure the quality of research conducted in these regions. This aligns with the objective of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, which is to improve education by focusing on three key elements: establishing essential institutions, implementing creative policies, and promoting cooperation with international partners. The presence of the delegation from the Kurdistan region at UK universities, with support and funding from the British Council, has greatly influenced the execution of the International Research Capacity Building Workshop. This visit has provided the delegation with the opportunity to gain insights from the experience and expertise of UK universities in cultivating a robust research culture.
During the third day, Dr. Aram Mohammad Qadir, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasised the key objectives of the International Research Capacity Building Workshop. These objectives include providing participants with the essential skills, knowledge, and resources to strengthen international collaborations, secure funding for research projects, efficiently manage grants, and contribute to the growth of a knowledge-based economy in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq. The other objective was to enhance the research quality and capabilities of universities in Iraq and the Kurdistan region, with the goal of establishing a robust research culture that promotes research leadership, grant application, and research development. This is aimed at increasing the influence of research in supporting social and economic development in the Kurdistan region and the rest of Iraq, as well as improving the international rankings of Iraqi and Kurdistan universities through a roadmap provided by the Kurdistan Research and Development Council.
Keywords: Higher Education, Global Cooperation, Collaboration, Partnerships, Capacity-Building, Universities, Leadership
