Tishk International University (TIU) successfully concluded a comprehensive three-day research workshop series held between January 27th and January 28th, 2026. Organized by the Research Center of TIU in collaboration with the Faculty of Administrative Sciences and Economics (FASE) and the Faculty of Applied Science, the initiative aimed to enhance the academic capabilities of staff across various career stages. Each session saw an impressive turnout of approximately 90 participants, including attendees from TIU and several other regional universities, as well as a significant delegation from the University of Technology in Baghdad.
The series began on Tuesday morning with the 1st Workshop for Newly Promoted Academic Staff: Research Insights from Idea to Research Publication, held in the New Dentistry Building. Dr. Venera Ulker and Dr. Sami H. Barzani led the initial session titled Components of manuscript writing and research types. This was followed by Prof. Dr. Azeez Barzinjy from Soran University, who presented Types of publications, journals, and indexing bodies. Dr. Fatih Cura concluded the morning by outlining Incentives, rules, and regulations, best practices at TIU. The primary outcomes for this session included providing junior staff with a clear roadmap for starting their research careers and ensuring a thorough understanding of the institutional framework supporting their publications.
The afternoon of the same day featured the 2nd Workshop for the Experts and Professors: Research Insights from Research Project to Funding Opportunities. The session opened with Prof. Dr. Sultan T. Abu-Orabi presenting Higher Education & Scientific Research in the Arab World, followed by a strategic discussion on QS and THE rankings best practices at TIU by Asst. Prof. Dr. Idris Hadi Salih. Technical sessions on Fund application: From the best practices to opportunities were delivered by Dr. Barham Hidar, Dr. Muhammed Sidiq, and Dr. Sami Mamand, while Prof. Dr. Faiq Hussein introduced Patent application: Bottom-up procedure. These presentations increased awareness of how to secure external funding and of the steps required to transition research findings into protected intellectual property.
The final session took place on Wednesday at the Education Building, specifically the 3rd Workshop for Experienced Academic Staff: Research Insights for Effective Manuscript Writing for Q(1-3) Journals. Prof. Dr. Wasfi Taher Saalih Kahwachi presented on Effective Statistical Analysis: Types and Applications for Publications. This was followed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Sameerah Saeed, who discussed Ethical Considerations and AI for data evaluation and presentation. The series concluded with Asst. Prof. Dr. Orhan Tug, who provided an insider’s look at Common rejection reasons for journals and submissions to TIU journals. Participants gained practical techniques for refining their manuscripts to meet the rigorous standards of international databases.
Building on the success of these events, the organizers plan to launch a series of specialized sub-workshops soon. These upcoming sessions will provide deep-dive training on specific subjects identified over the three days, such as advanced statistical software applications and hands-on AI tools for research visualization, ensuring continuous professional development for all academic staff.
The overarching outcome of this workshop series has been the creation of a unified research culture across participating institutions, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and successful publication. By addressing the entire lifecycle of a research project—from the initial idea and funding acquisition to ethical AI integration and navigating journal rejections, the workshops have equipped faculty with the specific technical skills needed to increase TIU’s presence in high-impact Q1 and Q2 journals. Furthermore, the collaboration with the University of Technology, Baghdad, has strengthened inter-university ties, paving the way for future joint research ventures and the development of shared intellectual property.
