KOYA | University Media

As part of its ongoing efforts to bridge academic expertise with civic institutions, Koya University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kurdish Heritage Revival Organization. The primary objective of this strategic partnership is to collaborate on protecting and preserving historical manuscripts, rare books, cultural architecture, and ancient archaeological sites in Koya city.

The official signing ceremony took place on Thursday, July 23, 2026, under the auspices of Qubad Talabani, Deputy Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG).

The event was attended by notable officials, including: Najat Abdullah, Cultural and Artistic Advisor to the Deputy Prime Minister; Hakim Tariq Haidari, Mayor of Koya District; Eng. Awara Kwekha Ali, KRG Director General of Antiquities and Heritage; Hashim Hama Abdullah, Director of Sulaimani Antiquities; members of the Koya University Council; directors of the Central Library, Relations, and Higher Education; Yekiti Wahid, Director of Koya Antiquities; and representatives from the Kurdish Heritage Revival Organization.

The agreement was officially signed by the President of Koya University, Prof. Dr. Mohammed H.S. Zangana, and the President of the Kurdish Heritage Revival Organization, Mr. Irfan Osman Ahmed.

Strategic Alignment with Koya University’s Vision

This MoU represents the practical execution of Koya University’s Strategic Plan (2023–2027), advancing three core pillars:

• Research & Innovation: Utilizing unpublished manuscripts and historical texts as primary research sources for postgraduate students and scholars to generate novel academic insights.
• Community Outreach: Safeguarding the regional cultural identity and historical narrative while raising public awareness regarding the value of heritage preservation.
• Digitalization: Converting fragile paper manuscripts into high-resolution digital formats to protect them from degradation and ensure accessibility for national and international researchers.

Key Areas of Collaboration

The MoU establishes an operational framework between both parties focusing on:

• Preservation, conservation, and restoration of historical manuscripts.
• Scientific research and scholarly publications based on manuscript archives.
• Technical training and capacity building in manuscript preservation techniques.
• Mutual cooperation and synergy in shared heritage domains.
• Restoration and structural conservation of historic buildings and archaeological sites.
• Joint bidding for international grants and research project funding.

This partnership marks a vital step toward revitalizing Kurdish manuscript heritage through modern scientific frameworks, fulfilling Koya University’s national duty to preserve collective memory and cultural heritage.