The University of Zakho is proud to announce its participation as a full partner in the newly launched RISE Project – Reinforcing Integration of Skills for Employability and Internationalisation in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. This two-year initiative, officially starting on February 1, 2025, and concluding on January 31, 2027, aims to bridge the gap between academia and industry‌, strengthen the international profile of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), and promote entrepreneurship among students and graduates.
Funded by the European Union and coordinated by UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union, the RISE project is built on two core assumptions:

1. Higher education plays a pivotal role in forming responsible citizens at local and global levels.
2. There is an urgent need to improve the employability of graduates by fostering stronger collaboration between universities and industry.
In light of the economic and social challenges currently facing the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the RISE project presents a timely and strategic opportunity to empower academic institutions to support sustainable development and reduce unemployment.
Objectives of the RISE Project include:

 Establishing a coordinated institutional roadmap that integrates internationalisation with employability strategies.
 Enhancing the capacities of university educators, administrators, and students to actively contribute to institutional and societal development.
 Strengthening international exposure through mobility programs, networking, and improved internationalisation services.
 Fostering a strong entrepreneurial mindset in students and reinforcing academia-industry ties to shape a new generation of young entrepreneurs and "glocal" citizens.
The University of Zakho will work alongside distinguished international and local partners including:

• UNIMED (Coordinator)
• International University of Rome (UNINT)
• University of Murcia
• Akre University for Applied Sciences
• Duhok Polytechnic University
• Erbil Polytechnic University
• Sulaimani Polytechnic University
• University of Duhok
• University of Garmian
• The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is an official associated partner, further highlighting the project's alignment with regional priorities.
  For more information about the RISE project and ongoing updates, please visit the official project website:

Official website: https://www.risekrdproject.eu/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/RISE-project/61575173477770/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/rise-project-for-employability-and-internationalisation-in-the-kurdistan-region-of-iraq/posts/?feedView=all

We look forward to the transformative impact this project will have on our university, students, and the wider Kurdish society.