KRG to open first university in Akre: PM Barzani

Karwan Faidhi Dri

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Monday announced that his cabinet will open the first university in Akre, which is known as the capital of the Kurdish New Year (Newroz). 

Barzani visited Akre town on Monday, announcing several service projects. Speaking to the residents of the town, he announced that the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) will open a university in Akre “to provide more service to the youths of this area.”

Rashad Kamal, dean of the Education College in Akre, told Rudaw’s Naif Ramazan that “the opening of a university in our area is important and it will have a very positive impact in all aspects, such as knowledge, science, culture, economy, society.”

The college, affiliated to the University of Duhok, was established in 2009 and currently has over 300 students. 

Akre, located in Duhok province, is mostly known for its spectacular views during the Newroz celebrations.  

Barzani acknowledged that his cabinet has not been able to provide sufficient services to the town due to the financial crisis caused by several factors such as the spread of coronavirus and dramatic drop in oil prices but promised to do their best to serve its people.

There are dozens of public and private universities in the Kurdistan Region, with most of them being in Erbil province. 

The Kurdish premiere also said that they plan to open another university in Sulaimani province’s Garmiyan town which already has the University of Garmian.