Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) and University of Zakho (UoZ) in the Kurdistan Region signed a groundbreaking memorandum of understanding on December 11, 2024, establishing a partnership between two dedicated institutions committed to fostering opportunity and ambition for their students. This agreement will facilitate a robust program of affiliation, enabling international and cultural exchanges that will benefit both the students and faculty of each university.

The vision for this partnership was spearheaded by Jihan Brifki, a Kurdish activist in Minnesota who initially conceived the idea while working on a separate project for Earth Partnership. Her initiative gained momentum when she presented the concept to Sattar Haji, the Dean of the College of Education at UoZ. During Dr. Haji’s visit to Moorhead, Minnesota, for training, he toured the MSUM campus and shared his aspirations for collaboration. Brifki describes this partnership to Kurdistan Chronicle as a monumental milestone for UoZ, aligning it with the esteemed MSUM, which offers an impressive array of academic programs: 73 majors, 55 emphases and options, 12 pre-professional studies programs, 15 graduate degrees across 24 emphasis areas, 40 graduate and undergraduate certificates, and 26 areas of teacher licensure preparation.

“This memorandum marks the beginning of an exciting collaboration aimed at enhancing academic exchange, research opportunities, and student and staff mobility between our institutions,” Haji explained. He highlighted that this event is not just about the formal signing of a document, but about the shared vision of fostering academic excellence, cultural exchange, and innovation across borders. This partnership will bring incredible value to students, faculty, and the communities at large.

The partnership marks a significant leap forward for the education system in the Kurdistan Region. Together, MSUM and UoZ are paving the way for a brighter future in higher education.