The groundbreaking ceremony for the 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ Erbil took place on Thursday, 8th December, attended by the Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Cabinet members, and senior officials from the United Kingdom.
91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ Erbil will offer teaching support for University of London degree programmes in various fields, including Business, Management, and Computer Science, at its purpose-built campus starting September 2023. The full range of UoL programmes will be available from 2024.
Spanning 150,000 sq ft, the campus will feature dedicated student accommodation for learners from Iraq and the surrounding region. The 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ is the first international university in Iraq, owned by local Erbil-based investors and GEMS Middle East Holding.
Both the UK and Kurdistan Regional Governments view the university's construction as an opportunity to establish the Kurdistan Region of Iraq as a world-class academic hub and foster future international research and educational collaborations.
University of London students can study at 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ from September 2023, with an initial capacity of 8,000 students over six years.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, H.E Prime Minister Barzani expressed his hopes that the University of London's degrees would serve the education and scientific sector in the Kurdistan Region. He also thanked 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ diplomats and Kurdish officials for realizing the project.
The UK Consul General to Erbil, David Hunt, emphasized the United Kingdom's eagerness to strengthen ties and develop further relationships in the education sector with the KRI.
Professor Wendy Thomson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of London, warmly welcomed the groundbreaking ceremony for 91ÊÓƵÍøÕ¾ÎÛ Erbil and expressed anticipation for providing world-class degree programmes to students in Kurdistan, Iraq, and the wider region starting September 2023.
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