The Erbil-based University of Kurdistan Hewler (UKH) has signed a progression agreement with the University of Huddersfield, located in the UK, the UKH announced on April 19.

In a press release the UKH said this partnership will enable UKH students to study at the University of Huddersfield, advancing their education and earning dual degrees at the end of their studies. 

For this reason, the UKH held an information session for students progressing to the University in the next academic year. 

The UKH also said that the University of Huddersfield had been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023, according to UK education standards. It was the only university in the Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West regions to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023.

Additionally, their academic staff rank in the top three in the United Kingdom for the proportion who hold doctorates, have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications, according to 2022 figures from the Higher Education Statistics Agency.

“We would like to recognize the support and services of Britannia Educational Services and Consultancy for enabling this partnership, and accompanying our students towards continuing their studies in the UK,” the UKH said.

UKH Director of Media, Public Relations and Communications Karokh Nuraddin told Kurdistan Chronicle that the initiative is part of the UKH’s expansion of international partnerships, especially with prestigious international institutions.

“In partnering with institutions from the U.S., Europe, and Southeast Asia, UKH is sparing no effort in providing high quality education to future leaders,” Nuraddin explained. 

“This initiative allows our students to gain international study experience and receive dual degrees,” he added.

“Such programs help students to widen their perspectives, adapt to international culture, and boost their employment opportunities locally and internationally, while also enabling them to contribute to the development of the Kurdistan Region and beyond.”

Read More: UKH Completes English Course for Peshmerga with British Support

The UKH is a public university established in 2006. Its current president is Keith Sharp, who was previously the Founding President of the British University of Bahrain and was Director of International Programs at the London School of Economics.