Context
The rule of the so called ‘Islamic State’ led to extensive displacement within Iraq and the Kurdistan region of Iraq. Young people and internally displaced persons in particular, including many ethnic and/or religious minorities, still live under difficult conditions. In the Kurdish regions, apart from humanitarian efforts, there have been few opportunities for internally displaced persons to integrate into Kurdish society.
At the same time, young people from vulnerable groups in Iraq face restrictions on access to participation in higher education, which limits their future career prospects.
Objective
For disadvantaged groups living in Iraq, access to higher education has improved with regard to employment-relevant Bachelor’s degree programmes at selected public and private universities.
Approach
The project awards full-time scholarships to young students from disadvantaged groups so that they can complete a Bachelor’s degree in subjects relevant for the labour market at one of four selected universities in the Kurdish region of Iraq. The implementation partner is the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
A preparation and support programme linked to the scholarship also addresses individual learning needs, thereby enhancing the scholarship holders’ ability to succeed in their studies.
Accompanying measures at universities embed the courses offered in a social and labour-market-relevant environment.
The accompanying measures also aim to impart skills relevant to the labour market that promote the employability of the scholarship holders during their studies and thus increase the relevance of the respective specialist training course.