Recruiting students in Kurdistan

Professor Frank Bullen and Dr Talal Yusaf enjoy a Kurdish feast

Professor Frank Bullen says USQ is one step closer to breaking into the lucrative higher education market in Kurdistan, following a ten-day trip to the area.

The Dean of Engineering and Surveying said the mountainous country, wedged between Iran and Turkey, awards scholarships worth upwards of 100 million US dollars each year to high achieving students.

'Some months ago USQ signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in the area of higher education. As a result of that we now have ten students from the KRG on-campus.

'This was a follow up visit to develop further partnerships, follow up opportunities for recruiting research and higher degree students and develop joint research projects.'

Professor Bullen said five universities have indicated their desire to sign MOU’s with USQ as a result of the trip, a KRG requirement for processing visas.

Professor Bullen was accompanied by USQ’s Director of Sponsorship and Engagement, Dr Talal Yusaf.

'Talal speaks Arabic, so he provided translation in the south and a lecturer from one of the universities, who has visited USQ in the past, provided translation in the north, where they speak Kurdish.'

Dr Yusaf also met with the Australian Consulate in Jordan to look at ways to optimise the processing of student visas.

'Over 75 percent of students from Kurdistan go to the United Kingdom, because they can get a visa to study there in as little as one day, whereas it can take up to four months to get a student visa to Australia.'

During their longer travels they were accompanied by an armed driver and co-pilot.

'But it is much, much safer than Iraq. We were able to wander around easily in the centre of town without issue including time at the Erbil Citadel, which has been there since early Babylonian times.

'Food was a blend between Turkish and Iraqi food, including a lot of flat breads, a lot of goat and fruit from around the world, including bananas from South America.

'And we enjoyed some wonderful hospitality, including a dinner with the President of the Soran University.'

Prof Bullen said temperatures soared to 50 degrees in the middle of the day, but it 'dropped back' to 30 degrees at night.

The intrepid team is looking forward to a return trip to the country in October with Vice Chancellor, Professor Bill Lovegrove.

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