enhancing university graduates’ eMplOyability through skills deVElopment and industry collaboration in Kurdistan region of Iraq and Yemen

forthcoming

MOVE project, by targeting four universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq and two in Yemen, aims at modernizing and enhancing one key study program at each partner institution, with a focus on agricultural engineering and environmental fields, to better meet local market demands. This pilot initiative is designed to equip graduates with essential skills, including an entrepreneurial mind-set, to foster employment in the green economy. MOVE will empower graduates to thrive in an increasingly competitive, sustainable world. The specific objectives of the MOVE project are: 1. Assess the relationship between academia and the job market: Conduct a thorough analysis of the connection between academic programs in agricultural engineering and environmental studies and local labour market needs, while benchmarking best practices for graduate employability. 2. Study program review: Strengthen the capacity of partner universities to update at least one study program (in agriculture and/or environmental studies) to better align with the demands of the local job market, reducing the gap between graduates' competencies and market needs. 3. Enhance staff and student skills: Provide capacity-building opportunities for university staff and students, focusing on transversal skills (soft skills, digital skills, green skills) to empower higher education institutions to actively contribute to both local and global sustainable development goals. 4. Foster entrepreneurial mind-sets: Promote innovation and entrepreneurship among students by empowering Career Development Centres and organizing joint student hackathon focused on addressing societal needs and local market demands 5. Policy development and strategies for ESD and green transition in Yemen and KRG: by establishing Living Labs in each partner institution that align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to environmental and sustainable development, the project will define policies and strategies to foster green transition in the two partner countries through education sustainable development Ultimately, MOVE project will help reshape the landscape of higher education and employment in the Kurdistan Region and Yemen, empowering youth to take on leadership roles and contribute to the economic revitalization of their countries.