Education, Peace, and Equality Conference Opens with Inaugural Ceremony

Koya and Ulster Universities Launch Joint International Conference on Education, Peace, and Equity

On the evening of Sunday, February 16, 2025, the opening ceremony of the international conference titled "Education, Peace, and Equity" was held, marking the beginning of a collaborative academic event organized by the Education, Peace, and Politics (EPP) Network in partnership with Koya University (Kurdistan Region) and Ulster University (Northern Ireland).

The event was attended by a distinguished group of participants, including Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohammed Haseeb Sedeeq, President of Koya University; Dr. Amanj Saeed, Representative of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Regional Government; Prof. Dr. Waheed Mahmoud Al-Ibrahimi, President of the University of Mosul and Representative of the Federal Government's Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research; and Ms. Charlotte Dickson, Acting British Consul General in Erbil. Also in attendance were several general directors from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, members of the Koya University Council, academic and governmental figures, faculty members, international researchers, and guests from within and beyond Iraq.

The ceremony commenced with a welcome address delivered by Dr. Sherko Krmanj, followed by the national anthems of the Federal Republic of Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, accompanied by a moment of silence in remembrance of the martyrs.

Following the opening, Prof. Dr. Kelsey Shanks, Head of the Education, Peace, and Politics Project and supporter of UNESCO’s initiative on education, peace, and human rights, introduced the aims and scope of the EPP project, highlighting its role in promoting inclusive education and fostering peace through academic collaboration.

Subsequently, Asst. Prof. Dr. Mohammed Haseeb Sedeeq, President of Koya University, delivered a keynote address emphasizing the significance of hosting international researchers, academics, and officials from diverse sectors. He reiterated Koya University's strategic commitment to its core pillar of “Internationalism and Global Reach,” stressing the institution’s objective to strengthen ties with leading universities and research centers around the world. He further underlined the importance of such conferences in fostering global dialogue and facilitating the exchange of diverse perspectives and innovative ideas.

Additional speeches were delivered by Dr. Amanj Saeed, Representative of the KRG Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Prof. Dr. Waheed Mahmoud Al-Ibrahimi, representing the Federal Ministry of Higher Education; Ms. Charlotte Dickson, Acting British Consul General in Erbil; and Mr. Hummam Ghanem from UNESCO Iraq.

The opening ceremony concluded with an informal networking session, providing a platform for local and international researchers to exchange ideas and build connections—further contributing to the success of this landmark academic event

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Koya University (KOU) is located in the city of Koya (Koy Sanjaq) which is 1.0 hr drive to the East of the Kurdistan Region capital Erbil (Arbil, Hewlér) in Kurdistan Region of F.R. Iraq. It is on the foothills of a beautiful high mountain. Its campus has been carefully laid out to embrace the beautiful mountainous nature.

There are 4 Faculties and 2 Schools in KOU; Faculty of Engineering (FENG), Faculty of Science and Health (FSCH), Faculty of Education (FEDU), Faculty of Humanities and Social Silences (FHSS), Shcool of Physical Education (SPHE) and School of Medicine (SMED).

Also, there are two research centers; Genome Center and Malai Gawra Center. Moreover, at KOU there is an English Language Center (BELC) at KOU has been opened with the sponsorship of IREX and American embassy in Baghdad as well as with the support of Spring International Language Center of The University of Arkansas. KOU has two Scientific Journals; ARO-The Scientific Journal of Koya University, which is indexed by Clarivate Analytics (ESCI), and Koya University Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences (KUJHSS). KOU is a proactive member of Erasmus/ Marhaba Project and Erasmus+.

KOU signed many Memorandum of Understandings (MoU) with many International Universities, e.g., The University of Arkansas (June 2015). The Lulea University in Sweden (April 2014), The University of Nottingham in the UK, The University of Buckingham in the UK (Oct 2008), Belkin University in Turkey (Sep 2009) The University of Greenwich in the UK, Cihan University-Erbil (2021) and Tishk International University (2021).

Koya University is a memebr of The Association of Arab Universities and the International Association of Universities.

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