University of Kurdistan

University of Kurdistan as the main state university in Province of Kurdistan operates under the supervision of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology which provide guidelines for universities and higher education institutions both public and private institutions to practice the country's policy for higher education.

In addition to observing the “Act of Higher Education” as the national strategy in this respect, the universities have to operate towards the aims which have been set in other national documents too including "IRAN's 2026 VISION, The Country's Comprehensive Scientific Map, and The Sixth Development Plan (2015-2020). Although these documents are encouraging universities to be engaged actively in any efforts to foster the country’s socio-economic development, but by nature they are general guidelines with no clear objectives for engagement of universities in urban development.

Despite this and in the light those national guidelines, the University of Kurdistan based on its own “Strategic Vision” (The University of Kurdistan Strategic Plan 2015-2020) has committed itself to have a close tie with regional and provincial organizations and playing an effective role in developing urban and rural areas encouraging the university’s staff to work and cooperate with national and local partners collectively and even individually. At the same time, University of Kurdistan is the main state university in Kurdistan Province and monitors and audits all the other universities in the province. Although under the supervision of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, University of Kurdistan has a non-centralized administrative structure managed by a Board of Trustees. It is financed by the aforementioned ministry and was officially given university status in 1991 by the Ministry of Higher Education and Culture. Prior to that, it was first an affiliate of Tehran Teacher Training Institute and then an off- campus faculty of Razi University (Kermanshah).

The Board of Trustees members are the Chancellor of the University, Minister for Education, Assistant Minister for Education, Provincial Governor, an academic staff member, two well-known public figures (i.e in industry or parliament). All new university policies must be put to the Board of Trustees and then when approved are executed by the University Chancellor and Vice Chancellors for Educational Affairs, Research Affairs, Student Affairs, Financial Affairs, and Cultural & Social Affairs.

Priorities

1. To have own special identity and specialize in areas that are of importance to the region such as Agriculture and Agricultural Machinery, Forestry, Water, Mining and Kurdish Studies. Currently UOK is the only university in the country that offers a degree programme in Kurdish Language and Literature and has a very active Kurdish Studies Research Institute. 
2. Internationalization of Higher Education in order to compete on a global level.
3. Establishing strong links with industry.
4. Towards improving ranking through scientific and practical research development. 
5. Establishing greater links and academic cooperation with HEIs abroad.
6. Providing qualified workforce in relevant area with close link to local and regional development requirements.
7. Facilitate equal access to higher education with particular reference to disadvantage groups and marginalized areas.
8. Providing work-based and work-related education (University of Technical and Vocational Education).
9. Providing in-service training to all employed staff and workforce in state and private organizations (Islamic Azad University and private HEIs)