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Under the supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Duhok Polytechnic University (DPU) officially organized the first International Innovation Competition (Start Cup Competition), under the theme:

“From Local Ideas to Global Impact: Innovating Beyond Borders for Sustainable Communities and Regional Development.”

The academic and entrepreneurship event brought together nine teams from seven universities in the Kurdistan Region, namely Duhok Polytechnic University, Akre University for Applied Sciences, University of Zakho, University of Duhok, Erbil Polytechnic University, Sulaimani Polytechnic University, and Garmian University, alongside Italy’s (UNINT) University and the University of Murcia in Spain. The teams presented their entrepreneurial ideas and projects to an evaluation committee comprising five members representing civil society organizations, local administrations, the industrial sector, and university graduates. The event also provided a valuable opportunity to establish connections and exchange experiences among students and academics at the international level.

This event marks an important milestone in the RISE project, implemented under the (Erasmus+) programme, financially supported by the European Union, and supervised by (UNIMED). Launched in February 2025, the project will continue until December 2027. It aims to promote the internationalization of universities in the Kurdistan Region and better prepare their graduates for the future labour market.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Dr. Ari Adel, President of Duhok Polytechnic University, welcomed the participating universities and described the organization of the first edition of the competition as an important step. She noted that this activity represents a transition “from training to practical implementation”, through which universities have put their plans and training programmes into practice. She also highlighted the importance of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), emphasizing the need to address local challenges and protect the environment. Furthermore, she referred to DPU’s achievements in environmental protection, particularly following the organization of the International Conference on Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability (ICCMES 2026), and its achievement of first place at the Duhok Governorate level and third place across the Kurdistan Region in the international (GreenMetric) ranking.

At the conclusion of her speech, the University President delivered a message of encouragement to the students, describing them as “the true heroes of today”. She also encouraged them to confidently present their ideas and benefit from the evaluation committee’s feedback. She emphasized that regardless of whether they secure the top positions in the competition, their participation will provide them with valuable experience, help establish new connections, and strengthen their self-confidence, thereby contributing to the development of their capabilities and skills. She also expressed her appreciation to the European Union, (UNIMED), the evaluation committee, and the organizing team at Duhok Polytechnic University for their contributions to the success of this important event.