American University of Kurdistan to start new joint program with US university

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) and Wayne State University (WSU) in the US state of Michigan have reached an agreement to offer joint degrees in five of Wayne State’s programs as part of AUK's the College of Engineering.

After two years of study at AUK, located in the province of Duhok, students will have the opportunity to complete their final two years at WSU to earn their Bachelor’s degree in either chemical, civil, computer, or mechanical engineering.

“This agreement with a prestigious university such as Wayne State is a great achievement for us. The joint programs are accredited, which assures our current and future students that their study at AUK is valuable, and they can easily continue to pursue further education in the US if they want,” stated Dr Razaq Farhadi, Dean of AUK’s College of Engineering.

Farshad Fotouhi, dean of the WSU College of Engineering said in a statement that “our international collaborations are key elements to sustaining a vibrant environment of learning and discovery at Wayne State, preparing students to embark on successful careers all over the globe,” adding that this collaboration will mutually benefit students from both institutions and help “expand access to diverse cultures and world-class education.”

The AUK was founded in 2014 as a non-profit, special status institution of higher learning and aims “to shape the next generation of leaders through its curriculum and exceptional faculty.” Its first batch of graduates completed their degrees in 2019.

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In mid-June, the institution's Board of Trustees appointed a new university president.

Board Secretary Honar Issa stated that “the partnership between AUK and WSU will spawn the seeds of many initiatives that would lead to academic excellence and achieving core academic missions,” adding that such partnership will benefit the economy of local communities and consequently the betterment of people’s lives.

WSU is a public research university in the city of Detroit. Founded in 1868, it consists of 13 schools and colleges offering a wide range of engineering disciplines. 
Editing by John J. Catherine