On June 15th, 2021, the Catholic University in Erbil was honored and privileged by the visit of the Deputy PM of the Kurdistan Region, Mr. Qubad Talabani. The purpose of the visit was to get acquainted with the CUE facilities and provide the needed support for its development. 

His Excellency was accompanied by a high profile delegation that included Dr. Aram Muhammad, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of KRG, Dr. Yousif Goran, the Former Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of KRG, Dr. Peshawa Abdulkhaliq, the Head of Diplomatic Relations Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, and Mr. Zainaddin Mawlud, Deputy of the Ministry of Endowment.

The delegation was welcomed by His Grace, Archbishop Bashar Warda, the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CUE; Asst. Prof. Dr. Riadh Francis, the President and Vice-Chancellor of CUE; Rev. Fr. Dankha Joola, the Executive Vice-Chancellor for Administration; Ms. Vida Hanna, the Director of Public and International Relations and other CUE Head of Departments.

During the meeting, from the CUE side, Archbishop Warda extended warm thanks to the delegation for supporting CUE since its establishment and up to now. Later on, Ms. Vida delivered a summary of the university’s ongoing development projects and its collaborations with international institutions of higher education, while the President, Asst. Prof. Dr. Riadh explained the university’s future plans and elaborated on the new departments that the university is aspiring to open. From their side, his Excellency, Mr. Qubad Talabni expressed excitement about the constructive outcomes that CUE is producing through its projects and academic plans to develop higher education and promote coexistence in Kurdistan. 

Afterward, the meeting was followed by a tour around the university campus, in which the delegation was made acquainted with the teaching facilities and new departments of the university. 

The last stage of the visit included a meeting and discussion with some CUE students, staff, and faculty. During the meeting, Mr. Qubad Talabani discussed their needs and obstacles with the students and promised that the government would do its best to help students achieve their goals since they are considered the pillars for developing the Kurdistan Region.

Finally, Mr. Qubad Talabani assured on the importance of developing the CUE for it reflects an environment of peaceful coexistence in the Kurdistan Region and its definite contributions in developing higher education in KRG.