The Kurdish society is a tolerant society and throughout history different nations, religious ethnics and sects have been living in Kurdistan, we will make every effort to preserve these different components in Kurdistan, Dr. Yusuf Goran, the KRG Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research said.
This statement by Dr. Yusuf Goran came during a meeting with a delegation from Erbil Bishops Council who visited the KRG Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Erbil on Thursday June 30, 2015.
Archbishop of Erbil Bashar Matti Warda, headed the delegation. During the visit the delegation, presented a proposal to the KRG Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research for opening “The Catholic University in Erbil”. The delegation clarified this university will be supported by The Bishop Council in Rome and will be a member International Federation of Catholic Universities.
The delegation also clarified the aim of opening the university, stressing “In the past many Christian families escaped to the Kurdistan Region, thus the university, in addition to embracing the fled Christian students to the Kurdistan, will be open towards students from other ethnics, and all wiling students can pursue with their studies in this university.”
The delegation emphasized that the university will not be a missionary university, but it will be a normal university like other universities in the Kurdistan region and the academic period will be five years. The delegation also affirmed that education in this proposed university will be according to the most modern standards, and the first academic year will be dedicated to the learning of English language, since the education will be in English, except for departments of languages.
“Through the opening of this university as an intellectual center, we want to deepen relations among the different components of Kurdistan region and to bridge as well as familiarize the different cultures with each other.
For his part, Dr. Yusuf Goran said: “The Christians are a vital component of our society and the KRG policy emphasizes assisting all components of the region, including the Christians, as they are from the deep-rooted components of this area. Therefore, in the past we received fled Christian students in the Kurdistan region universities, without differentiation, thus we are proud that various components are living in Kurdistan.
Regarding their proposal, Dr. Yusuf Goran said: “We are urging the opening of new universities with high rankings and high academic position. Meanwhile, new universities should bring something new in terms of academic specialization to the Kurdistan Region. We will do as much as we can to cooperate with you.”
Dr. Yusuf Goran clarified that their proposal will be sent to the Directorate of Quality Assurance and Trust-Giving for evaluation, and later within the framework of the guidelines for opening new universities a proper decision will be made.