In an effort to foster international academic collaboration and create meaningful scientific opportunities, the University of Garmian has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Yaroslavl State University in Russia.

The MoU was formalized during an online meeting held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. The meeting was attended by Professor Dr. Aras Fariq Zainal, President of the University of Garmian, and Assistant Professor Salar Mahmud, Director of International Academic Relations with Dr. Mikhail Gruzdev, president of Yaroslavl University and Dr. Maria Averina, Dean of the College of Foreign Languages.

The memorandum establishes a framework for cooperation between the two universities in areas of academic exchange, research collaboration, and joint scientific initiatives.

The agreement outlines several key areas of cooperation, including:

• Exchange of Academic Staff – Particularly in the fields of Kurdish and Arabic language and literature.

• Support for Establishing a Department of Russian Language and Culture – Yaroslavl State University will assist the University of Garmian in founding a future department focused on Russian language and cultural studies.

• Joint Scientific Activities – Organization of collaborative academic events, including international workshops and scientific conferences.

• Student Exchange Program – A plan for student exchanges between the two institutions for the 2026–2027 academic year, focusing on the fields of language, literature, and culture.

This partnership marks a significant step toward enhancing the global academic presence of the University of Garmian and promoting mutual understanding through cross-cultural and scholarly collaboration.