Komar University Partners with IREX to Promote Sustainability through Global Initiatives

Komar University of Science and Technology, a prominent institution in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region, has partnered with IREX to address pressing sustainability issues through two innovative programs: the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge and Global Solutions Conversations. These initiatives unite faculty and students from Komar University with their counterparts from universities in the United States, Jordan, and Iraq.

The participating faculty members from Komar University, along with their colleagues from the U.S. and other institutions, receive comprehensive training. This includes inclusive teaching strategies, design thinking, cross-cultural collaboration, and technology use, equipping them to effectively facilitate the Conversation curriculum. The aim is to foster a rich, inclusive educational environment that promotes global understanding and cooperation.

Central to these initiatives is a six-week virtual exchange series, featuring six binational calls. During these sessions, students engage in cross-cultural collaboration, learning about each other’s cultures while applying design thinking to tackle global issues within their communities. The structured calls, guided by detailed scripts, ensure that facilitators and students can focus on meaningful interactions without additional work outside the scheduled meetings.

Through this collaborative process, individual teams brainstorm and develop community project ideas aimed at enhancing sustainability in their local areas. This hands-on approach not only deepens students’ understanding of sustainability but also empowers them to make a tangible impact in their communities.

Komar University’s partnership with IREX exemplifies its commitment to fostering global collaboration and addressing sustainability challenges, preparing students to be proactive, culturally aware, and innovative leaders in their fields.