Tishk International University Advances Membership Process with UNIMED

Erbil, Iraq – February 16, 2026

As part of its comprehensive internationalization strategy, Tishk International University (TIU) is currently in the official process of becoming a member of UNIMED – the Union of Mediterranean Universities, Italy. This step signifies a strategic institutional initiative to expand TIU’s engagement within European and Mediterranean higher education networks. By affiliating with UNIMED, TIU will integrate into a distinguished network of universities across Europe and the Mediterranean region dedicated to promoting higher education, research and innovation, intercultural dialogue, and sustainable development. This membership enhances TIU’s standing within the global academic community and facilitates new opportunities for structured international collaboration.

Tishk International University was officially represented during the membership process by Associate Professor Dr. Idris Hadi Salih, Chair of the Board of Trustees; Professor Dr. Sultan T. Abu-Orabi, President of Tishk International University; Associate Professor Dr. Mehmet Ozdemir, Vice President of Academics; and Mr. Dana Shamsaddin, Director of the International Relations Office. Throughout the coordination phase, Tishk International University engaged extensively with representatives of UNIMED, including Ms. Silvia Marchionne, Project Manager; Ms. Caterina Gravina, Project Officer; and Mr. Orlando Luca, International Project Financial Manager. This structured engagement facilitated constructive dialogue regarding membership procedures, institutional collaboration frameworks, and the implementation of future joint academic and project-based initiatives.

Expanding International Opportunities: Through its membership in UNIMED, TIU will actively participate in a broad spectrum of international initiatives, including student exchange programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, joint research projects, involvement in international consortia, capacity-building programs, and externally funded collaborations, as well as conferences, workshops, and thematic academic networks. Additionally, TIU will aim for quality assurance and institutional development efforts aligned with international standards.

These initiatives will improve academic mobility, boost research collaboration, and give students and staff greater international exposure through well-established, credible frameworks.

 

Keywords: Tishk International University, UNIMED, International Membership, Student Exchange, Staff Mobility. Academic Partnerships, Higher Education, and Institutional Collaboration