On Sunday 13 October 2024, the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) hosted a grand opening ceremony for the Austria Community Centre on the campus.
The ceremony was marked by a high profile presence of distinguished diplomats, government officials, academics and faculty members.
This centre stands as a remarkable achievement, bringing the Kurdistan Region and the Austrian community closer together in mutual collaboration. It represents a great opportunity for academic exchange and cooperation with prestigious institutions. We’ve already established strong ties with the University of Leoben, one of the world’s most renowned universities, and we are eager to expand these partnerships with other Austrian and European Union universities. Through this center and our agreements, our students will have the opportunity to experience new cultures, not only in Austria but throughout the EU.
Prof. Dr. Dana Mawlood, the Director of the Austria Community Centre delivered opening remarks and warmly welcomed the guests. He highlighted the significance of UKH’s commitment to improving education and broadening perspectives for international academic and cultural exchange.
Later on, Vienna Provincial Parliament member Mag. Sequenz Hedienmarie delivered a speech in which she expressed her happiness for the opening of the centre. She said this centre could become a hub for the further integration between the Kurdish and Austrian communities.
His Excellency Andrea Nasi, the Austrian Ambassador to Iraq thanked the Kurdistan Region Presidency, The KRG and UKH senior management for making the opening of the centre possible. He commended UKH’s commitment to further internationalization of its students experience. On the relations between Austria and the Kurdistan Region the Ambassador said “we are not guests in the Kurdistan Region. We are at home”.
The speeches were followed by delightful music performances by the Erbil Music Chamber as the guests gathered for networking.
The event was sponsored by Atrumed and the Rwanga Foundation.
