1. Ministry of Higher Education and scientific research Dr. Amanj Saeed Advisor to the Minister of Higher education and Scientific Research amanj.saeed@krg.org

2. Investment in quality Quality assurance, Licencing and accreditation, curriculum development (Foundation for first year undergraduate) Human capacity development HCDP, post-doctoral and sabbatical opportunities, training Revitalizing research State-of the art research centers, technology, new PhD pathway, access to high impact references, internationalisation Higher education initiatives

3. HE infrastructure New campuses, Research centres ….. Draft of HE law Legal baseline for HE Reform Medical training Kurdistan board for medical specialities Higher education initiatives

4. Human Capacity Development Program (HCDP)

5. HCDP  Investing in human recourses to prepare future academic and business leaders.  Annual Budget of (US$100 million) has been allocated.  Sending top students abroad to study and train in some of the best universities in the world.

6. Fully funded scholarship  Living expenses 1800 USD per person & 2700 USD for families  Annual travel expenses  Health insurance  One year Language course fee.  Academic tuition fees

7. Target program and Duration of Study:  Msc/MA/PHD Duration of Study:  The duration of a scholarship program depends on the field of specialty, the institution, and the country.  Generally  Master studies: 1-2 year(s).  Doctorate programs PhD 3-5 years.

8. Specialties:  Based on Requirements of:  Higher Education and Universities  Government sector.  private sector  organizations of civil society  Reflection of requirements of job market in Kurdistan Region.

9. Specialities  Science  Engineering  Humanities  Language  Low and political Science  Business and Administration  Agriculture  Medical studies

10. Target countries Students are sent to internationally approved universities :  United Kingdom  Canada  United States of America  Western Europe  Turkeya  Japan  Malaysia  India  China  Korea  Egypt  Iran

11. Who can apply for HCDP scholarship  Ministry of Higher Education staff.  Entire work force and staff of the ministries and establishments of KRG  Private sector

12. Selection criteria  Based on Merit  Point based system depending on:  Average BSc Score  Language test score  Age of the candidate  Years of Experience.  Offer letter (conditional/unconditional)

13. Electronic system  Online application  Advanced software, changes the applicant profile to points (Point based system)  Electronic ranking  Electronic selection

14. Total Score Calculator (point based system)

15. Online application

16. MHE discussion portal

17. Point based system  Transparency  Equal opportunity  Social justice Change the culture  People confidence in the system.  Self motivation and hard work are the only way to secure the scholarship.

18. Result Announcement (transparency)

19. HCDP Awards Round one1252 Awards Round two1031 Awards Round three630 Awards Ministry of planning R1 and R2 1438 Awards Total4351 Awards

20. Great Success Within two year period 2200 students reached their classroom

21. Great success

22. Students went to the universities of the following countries UKDenmark USAFinland AustraliaItaly FranceMalaysia GermanyTurkey SpainEgypt SwedenIran CanadaIndia NetherlandsTiwan

23. Management Ministry of Higher education Ministry of Planning Supreme committee HCDP committee

24. HCDP investment for future 4425 scholarships  Counselling services  Language courses  Offer letters and placement.  Pre-departure orientation  Academic follow up

25. Challenges  English language.  Changing University.  Placement of Medical candidates.

26. New PhD pathway The key objectives of this program  revitalize research  clear focus on needs of Kurdistan while connecting with the outside world.

27. New PhD pathway  The new PhD program consists of four years of full-time research  students will be jointly supervised by a local and an international scientist from a centre of excellence.

28. New PhD pathway  Outcomes:  Production of internationally competitive collaborative research  Publication of research with international impact.  In-depth experience in research and encourage them to be creative and innovative.

29. Potential areas for collaboration HCDP New PhD System Post- doctoral Research training Sabbatic al leave Foundati on year English language training Training medical doctors Collaborative research