On Wednesday, Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Trustees, chaired the Board of Trustees meeting of the Kurdistan Accreditation Association for Education (KAAE), in which it was decided to approve national accreditation standards for higher education and K-12 schools.

During the meeting, Prime Minister Barzani underscored the importance of reinforcing collaboration with relevant ministries, institutions, and agencies to ensure a unified and effective approach.

Prime Minister Barzani also expressed his gratitude to the Board of Trustees for their continued commitment and hard work.

Following comprehensive discussions on the meeting’s agenda, several important decisions were adopted, including approval of national accreditation standards for higher education and K-12 schools, and accreditation manual and guidelines.

Additionally, criteria for peer evaluators and accreditation ranking systems were formally established, marking a significant step toward strengthening the academic infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region.

Furthermore, the Board approved the inclusion of the following institutions in the KAAE’s pilot projects: Catholic University in Erbil, Soran University, Nawroz University, University of Garmian, and Sulaymaniyah Polytechnic University.

The KAAE is a national accreditation body established by the KRG through legislation enacted in June 2022, with the goal to enhance the quality of education in the Kurdistan Region and to ensure that the region’s academic institutions meet international standards.