mis à jour le Vendredi 18 avril 2025 à 19h52
co-organised by
The Kurdish Institute of Paris
University of Kurdistan-Hewlêr
in partnership with
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research
Centre for Peacebuilding and Dialogue
University of Kurdistan Hewlêr | Erbil, Kurdistan
22 - 23 April 2025
Keynote Speakers
Room 1 - 22 April 2025 10:00– 10:45
Prof. Hamit Bozarslan
Kurdish Studies: Legacies of the Past, Perspectives of the Future
Room 1 - 23 April 2025 9:30– 10:15
Prof. Khanna Omarkhali
On Oral Studies and Religious Minorities in Kurdistan
Conference Themes
Organising Committee (in alphabetical order)
Conference Organisers & Sponsors
This international conference represents a strategic partnership among three leading institutions: the Kurdish Institute of Paris, the Center of Peace Building and Dialogue at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Regional Government. The event benefits from generous sponsorship by France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Higher Education and Research, the French Embassy in Baghdad, the Kurdish Institute of Paris, the Center of Peace Building and Dialogue at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Regional Government.
The Center of Peace Building and Dialogue at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr and the KRG Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research jointly oversee all local conference arrangements, including venue coordination, accommodation services, and catering provisions. Meanwhile, the Kurdish Institute of Paris collaborates with its French institutional partners to administer travel grant programs that facilitate international participation.
This tripartite collaboration combines complementary institutional strengths: the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr contributes academic leadership, the KRG Ministry provides governance and policy expertise, and the Kurdish Institute of Paris offers both scholarly research capabilities and cultural advocacy. Together, these partners establish a dynamic platform that significantly advances Kurdish scholarship and educational development through this international conference.
Institut Kurde de Paris
The Kurdish Institute of Paris, founded in 1983, represents the preeminent academic institution dedicated to the systematic preservation, documentation, and advancement of Kurdish linguistic, historical, and cultural heritage. As the principal center for Kurdish studies, the institute generates interdisciplinary scholarship, publishes peer-reviewed research, and maintains the most comprehensive archival collection of Kurdish literary and historical materials. Significantly, it provides crucial academic scholarships to Kurdish students, fostering the next generation of scholars dedicated to Kurdish studies.
While upholding the highest academic standards, the institute actively engages in dual missions of scholarly research and advocacy. It serves as both an intellectual hub and political advocate, promoting the right to self-determination for the Kurdish people while defending their cultural and political rights through evidence-based research and policy interventions. The institute facilitates vital scholarly exchange between the Kurdish diaspora, researchers focused on Kurdistan, and the international academic community.
Through its robust programming - including international symposia, Kurdish language pedagogy, cultural exhibitions, and public advocacy campaigns - the institute situates Kurdish studies within global humanities while cantering indigenous Kurdish knowledge systems. Its collaborative research with universities and transnational organizations critically examines the socio-political realities of Kurdish identity within partitioned Kurdistan, where over 40 million Kurds face systemic restrictions on linguistic rights, cultural expression, and political representation across Turkey, Iran, Iraq, and Syria - often enforced through coercive state measures.
The institute's methodological rigour, combined with its commitment to both scholarship and advocacy, has established it as the authoritative voice in academic and policy debates concerning Kurdish affairs. Through its dual commitment to knowledge production and rights protection, the institute not only documents Kurdish heritage but actively works to safeguard its future.
University of Kurdistan Hewlêr
The University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), established in 2006 in Erbil, represents a pioneering institution in Kurdish higher education as the region's first public English-medium university. UKH's academic programs span Political Science, International Relations, Business, Engineering, and Humanities, combining international standards with regional relevance. The university has developed research excellence in strategic areas including post-conflict studies, petroleum engineering, and Kurdish linguistics, reflecting Kurdistan's geopolitical and economic context. Through partnerships with institutions like the University of Cambridge and University of Hamburg, UKH fosters global academic exchange while maintaining strong local engagement. Its bilingual education model utilizes English as the primary instructional medium while preserving Kurdish language and cultural heritage through dedicated programs. UKH's research centres, particularly the Center for Conflict and Peace Studies, generate policy-relevant scholarship addressing regional challenges. The university actively bridges academia and society through public lectures, cultural events, and policy forums that engage broader communities. Operating within Kurdistan's complex political landscape, UKH balances regional educational autonomy with Iraq's federal higher education framework. This unique positioning informs its vision to emerge as a Middle Eastern academic leader while advancing Kurdish scholarship globally. Through its integrated approach to education, research, and cultural preservation, UKH serves as a vital institution for developing Kurdish intellectual capital and promoting Kurdish studies internationally.
Center for Peacebuilding and Dialogue, at university of Kurdistan Hewlêr :
The Center for Peacebuilding & Dialogue (CPD), launched in October 2022, is a pioneering initiative at The University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH). Our aim is to shape the Kurdistan Region into a beacon of peacebuilding, tolerance, and dialogue in the conflict-ridden Middle East. By integrating the dialogue perspective into peace and conflict resolution studies, CPD strives to fortify conflict prevention mechanisms within the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, as well as across the broader region and international community. Situated in Erbil, a city that has resiliently preserved its diverse communities despite being the ISIS frontline until 2017, CPD benefits from a wealth of available data and a vibrant participant pool.
CPD has established three primary objectives to drive its mission forward. Firstly, we seek to become an academic hub renowned for action-focused research, generating insights that translate into practical solutions. Secondly, CPD is committed to empowering education, fostering a culture of dialogue, and facilitating community development. By equipping individuals with knowledge and skills, we aim to ignite positive change and contribute to regional transformation. Lastly, CPD organizes robust policy and community dialogues, providing a platform for profound conversations and serving as an agent of change.
Our unique positioning in Erbil, combined with our unwavering dedication to our objectives, enables us to make a significant impact on peacebuilding and dialogue in the Middle East. We are driven by a vision to facilitate change, encourage sincere talks, and foster regional transformation. With our multidimensional approach, CPD is poised to contribute in shaping the future of the Kurdistan Region and the broader quest for peace and understanding.
Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research- Kurdistan Region Government
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MOHESR) of the Kurdistan Regional Government serves as the principal governing body for tertiary education and research within the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. It establishes and enforces academic standards across public and private universities while promoting quality assurance through institutional accreditation processes. The ministry administers competitive scholarship programs to facilitate international graduate studies, particularly in STEM and professional disciplines critical for regional development. A key function involves preserving Kurdish cultural heritage through curriculum development in Kurdish language, history, and literary studies. MOHESR prioritizes research capacity-building in strategic fields including energy studies, agricultural sciences, and post-conflict reconstruction. It fosters international academic partnerships to enhance faculty development, research collaboration, and curriculum modernization initiatives. The ministry faces operational challenges stemming from budget constraints, academic brain drain, and the need for greater global integration. Despite these obstacles, it maintains commitment to improving research productivity and institutional competitiveness within regional and global rankings. Through policy frameworks and funding mechanisms, MOHESR aligns higher education outcomes with labour market demands and socioeconomic priorities. These comprehensive efforts position the ministry as a crucial driver of intellectual capital formation and knowledge-based development in the Kurdistan Region.
France's Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs
As a key sponsor of this conference, France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs demonstrates its commitment to fostering international academic dialogue and supporting Kurdish cultural and intellectual development.
France's Ministry of Higher Education and Research
The Ministry of Higher Education and Research contributes to this conference through its dedication to advancing global academic partnerships and research innovation.
The French Embassy in Baghdad
The French Embassy in Baghdad serves as a key liaison between French and Kurdish institutions, operationalizing bilateral agreements in education and research. By co-sponsoring this conference, the Embassy reinforces its mandate to strengthen Franco-Kurdish academic ties, facilitate scholar exchanges, and support cultural preservation efforts.
Contact Information
For further details or inquiries, please contact: Seyedeh Zhina Seyed Mohammad
PROGRAMME
REGISTRATION
You can register for the conference by filling out the form in our registration website until 15 April 2025 at kurdishstudiesconference@ukh.edu.krd
The venue of the conference
The conference will be held at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr in Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
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