Press Release:
Professor Dr. Dana Mawlood, Vice President for Administration and Director of the Austrian Community Centre at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), concluded an official visit to Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL) in Austria. The purpose of the visit was to deepen the academic cooperation between UKH and MUL, evaluate the progress of existing programmes, and explore new areas of collaboration.
The visit highlighted the strength of the ongoing student exchange programme, which has enabled UKH students to gain valuable academic and cultural experience in Austria. The programme continues to play a vital role in enhancing participating students’ global perspective and personal development.
Another key focus was the International Master of Petroleum Engineering dual degree programme, a joint initiative that has received excellent feedback from both institutions. In a significant development, plans were finalized to select the first UKH student to join the dual degree programme. To facilitate this, Professor Dr. Holger Ott, Professor Riyaz Kharrat, and a MUL representative from the Study Support Centre are scheduled to travel to Erbil to conduct interviews and oversee the final admission process.
The discussions also explored the development of new joint academic programmes, including a proposed Bachelor’s programme in Geoenergy Engineering and a Master’s programme in Safety and Disaster Management. Opportunities for deeper PhD-level collaboration were also part of the strategic conversations.
Professor Mawlood held detailed discussions with Prof. Dr. Holger Ott and Prof. Riyaz Kharrat of the Department of Geoenergy Engineering regarding current initiatives and future directions. These conversations focused on aligning the academic goals of both institutions to ensure sustainable and high-impact collaboration.
Further meetings with MUL’s International Office and Study Support Centre addressed the logistical and administrative aspects of student mobility and support. Both parties explored strategies to enhance the institutional framework for international students, with a shared commitment to improving the academic experience for UKH students abroad.
A major highlight of the visit was signing a new agreement between the Rector of Montanuniversität Leoben, Prof. Dr. Peter Moser, and Professor Dr. Dana Mawlood, formalizing UKH’s participation in the MULgran programme. This programme will open additional opportunities for UKH students, further enriching their academic journey through engagement with cutting-edge research and international networks.
The agreement provides UKH students with international mobility support, which includes waiving tuition fees, free accommodation in Leoben as well as daily meals.
The strategic visit concluded with a high-level dialogue involving Prof. Dr. Peter Moser (Rector), Susanne Feiel (Head of International Relations), and Prof. Riyaz Kharrat (International Liaison Officer), where future joint initiatives and the long-term vision for academic collaboration were discussed.
This visit reaffirmed the mutual commitment of UKH and Montanuniversität Leoben to academic excellence, international partnership, and providing transformative educational experiences for students.
