In early June, the University of Kurdistan Hewler (UKH) welcomed a delegation from its partner university, Austria’s Montanuniversitat Leoben (MUL), to advance their collaboration.

A new Dual MSc Programme in Reservoir Management (Petroleum Engineering) will launch in 2025/2026, with candidates recently selected by a joint committee.

“The MUL delegation was here because the first batch of the students for the dual program was being interviewed by the committee of professors,” an official from the UKH’s Public Relations and External Engagement Department told Kurdistan Chronicle.

“The delegation, along with two professors from the UKH and a committee of four professors from each university, conducted interviews with students. The process was very successful, and the project will officially start in the next academic year,” the official added.

Additionally, the official said that the visit was aimed to enhance the existing agreement for UKH students to receive scholarships in various fields in Austria, including civil engineering, computer engineering, petroleum engineering, business management and economics.

“The number of scholarships has now increased to ten. Each year, ten students from the UKH will have the opportunity to study for one semester, free of charge, as part of an exchange program with the MUL in Austria,” the official underlined.

The MUL was founded in 1840 and is well-known for its research in areas of mining, metallurgy, and materials science.

The UKH earlier signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the MUL in Austria on August 8, 2023.

The MoU aimed to enhance the internationalization of both institutions through collaboration in research, development, and teaching activities, including a student exchange program.