(Erbil, November 29th, 2021) For the first time since the APPRAIS project started in January 2021, the Partners meet in Erbil on November 29 and 30, 2021. Following the willingness of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, a Roundtable has been organized with the Presidents and staff of more than 15 Kurdish universities. The Roundtable is a momentum for dissemination and an occasion for sharing good practices and experiences about autonomy, quality assurance and good governance.

During the welcoming speeches, Dr. Mohammed Hussein Ahmed, Director General and Head of the Apparatus of Supervision and Quality Assurance at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research KRG, highlighted the importance of a quality Higher Education system for the advancement of the Kurdish region and the willingness to reform the HE framework as well as changing the culture of education in Kurdistan, to meet international standards and implement new practices of mobility, learning and recognition. The conference is part of the fundamental reflection on the quality of Higher Education, stated Professor Isaacs from the University of Pisa and member of the Bologna Follow-up Group, and internationalisation is a key tassel for cooperation, dialogue and advancement, added Marcello Scalisi Director of UNIMED.

The Roundtable aims to showcase experiences and hear the voices of Kurdish universities on the reform process, granting continuity and consensus. The discussion is organized in two sessions:

• Panel 1 Bologna process implementation and Higher Education Governance System in Kurdistan: perspectives and challenges
• Panel 2 Strengthening good governance and institutional autonomy for a more accountable, innovative and responsible university

Participants to the Roundtable come from the APPRAIS project partners and other Kurdish universities, involving Presidents, Vice-Presidents, Directors of Quality Assurance offices and International Relations offices, and other strategic figures at the university. Moreover, the Higher Committee for Bologna Process at the MOHESR-KRG is invited to attend the conference, to advance in the implementation of practices related to the Bologna process pillars.

The Agenda of the Roundtable is available here.

For further information about APPRAIS please consult www.appraisproject.eu.

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