Universities Forum – Kurdistan 2022
Strengthening Rule of Law, Governance, and Academic Quality in Higher Education.
Key Objectives
- Assess enforcement of higher‑education laws in the Kurdistan Region.
- Advance quality reforms and Bologna Process alignment.
- Increase student participation and academic freedom.
- Provide actionable policy recommendations to MHE, Parliament, and universities.
The Universities Forum – Kurdistan 2022 convened policymakers, university leaders, faculty, students, and civil society to diagnose legal and institutional barriers in higher education and to chart a reform agenda. Building on CZO’s 2021 Monitoring Report, the forum highlighted gaps in enforcement of higher‑education laws, challenges in quality assurance, and the need for participatory governance mechanisms. Consensus emerged around adopting Bologna‑based reforms, strengthening quality assurance, and empowering student representation across institutions.
Keynotes & Remarks
- Mr. Bilal Faris — President & Executive Director, CZO.
- Dr. Mohammed Hussein Ahmed — Representative, Ministry of Higher Education (MHE).
- Mr. Omed Khoshnaw — Governor of Erbil.
- Department of NGOs — Representative statement.
- Dr. Wali Muhmood — President, Koye University.
“Universities are pillars of a democratic society—centers of knowledge and civic values.”
Findings from CZO Monitoring Report (2021)
Legal & Governance
- Weak enforcement of higher‑education laws and overlapping mandates.
- Limited institutional autonomy and inconsistent leadership appointments.
- Underutilized roles for faculty and student representatives in university councils.
Quality & Standards
- Gaps in curriculum modernization and program accreditation.
- Fragmented adoption of quality assurance and Bologna mechanisms.
- Insufficient faculty development and research productivity incentives.
Student Participation
- Weak student representation and limited channels for feedback.
- Need for transparent, democratic mechanisms for student councils.
Recommendations
- Codify enforcement pathways for key articles of the Higher‑Education Law.
- Accelerate accreditation & national ranking frameworks.
- Institutionalize student participation and academic freedom safeguards.
Higher Education Laws: Between Reform & Enforcement
Moderator: Mr. Bilal Faris (CZO)
Panelists
- Prof. Dr. Mohammed Hussein Ahmed — MHE, Quality Assurance Taskforce.
- Prof. Dr. Zedan Bradosti — MP, Higher Education Committee.
- Dr. Mohammed Ali Rekani — Public Prosecution (KRG).
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Hemn Abdullah — Halabja University.
- Prof. Dr. Sarwar Abdurrahman — President of Pay Institute; former MP.
Guiding Questions
- How can legal provisions be effectively enforced at the institutional level?
- What is Parliament’s role in sustaining reform momentum and oversight?
- Which mechanisms can Public Prosecution use to enhance compliance?
Institutional Reforms to Improve Quality
Moderator: Mr. Ranjdar Saeed (University Lecturer & CDC Coordinator)
Panelists
- Prof. Dr. Salah Raza Saeed — President, Charmo University.
- Asst. Prof. Dr. Kawa Abdulkarim Sherwani — President, Erbil Polytechnic University.
- Prof. Dr. Nazhad Ahmed Hussain — Dean of Engineering, Salahaddin University; Bologna Committee.
- Asst. Prof. Hardwan Mahmoud Kakashiekh — College of Arts, Salahaddin University; Accreditation Committee.
Guiding Questions
- Adapting the Bologna Process to Kurdistan’s context: opportunities & constraints.
- The role of technical & vocational education in elevating quality.
- How accreditation and national ranking can drive institutional change.
Who Attended
- Parliamentarians & MHE officials
- University presidents, lecturers & researchers
- Student councils & youth representatives
- Civil society organizations & media
Agreed Next Steps
- Adopt Bologna‑aligned quality assurance across universities.
- Strengthen legal enforcement and clarify leadership appointment rules.
- Institutionalize student participation and academic‑freedom safeguards.
- Coordinate follow‑up working groups led by CZO in partnership with MHE & universities.
