A senior academic delegation from the University of Garmian undertook a structured mobility visit to the International University of Rome from 11 to 16 January 2026. The delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Mohamad I. Khali, Assistant Rector for Scientific Affairs and Postgraduate Studies, and included Asst. Prof. Salar M.M. Salih, Director of the International Relations Office, alongside faculty members Asst. Prof. Yasin A. Jawhar, Dr. Nadhim A. Hama Sor, and Inst. Mohamad Y. Shakor.

This visit was conducted within the operational framework of the RISE project, a consortium initiative funded by the European Union with a duration from January 2025 to January 2027. The consortium comprises nine partner institutions: seven from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, alongside one Italian and one Spanish university, under the general supervision of the Union of Mediterranean Universities. The project's core objective is to enhance synergy between the academic and professional sectors.

The programme in Rome comprised a series of specialized training sessions and high-level academic consultations. The central focus was on advancing the internationalization strategies of higher education institutions. Deliberations covered strategic areas including the development of internationalization roadmaps, the optimization of administrative structures such as the International Relations Office, and the formulation of policies for academic staff and student mobility. Further sessions were dedicated to exploring mechanisms for securing European Union funding, navigating institutional ranking systems, addressing linguistic preparation, and establishing protocols for bilateral cooperation agreements.

This engagement served the strategic purpose of refining the University of Garmian’s roadmap for internationalization and reinforcing collaborative linkages between its relevant directorates. Participation in this project signifies a committed step towards integrating the university into global academic networks. Such initiatives are pivotal for aligning institutional outcomes with international benchmarks and enhancing graduate competencies, thereby improving their readiness for the global labour market.