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Discussing the principles of developing higher education in Kurdistan is the aim for holding an international conference in Erbil on 11-13 December, 2007. Professors and researchers from Europe, America, neighboring countries and presidents of Iraqi and international universities will attend the conference. Around 180-200 scientific research will be discussed.

In his speech at the University of Dohuk the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Idrees Hadi, stated that the conference will be a chance for discussing the process of elevating higher education in Kurdistan to fit the needs of the professional and governmental sectors. He added that the higher education in the region is witnessing a distinct development according to the new ministry program. The higher education has obviously expanded; universities started with 34 scientific departments where now they have 380 departments for various specializations. In accordance with this program, students' admission into universities will be reviewed in the coming years. The increasing numbers of students accepted for this academic year made the ministry encourage the opening of private universities. The ministry will have own conditions for these universities like specializing according to the needs of the private and governmental sectors. Whereas in the scientific studies
like the College of Medicine, instructional hospitals should be opened through coordination between the Ministry of Higher Education and other ministries in the region.

The minister's speech was made at the celebration for honoring the top first students at UoD by the Deputy Prime Minister, Barham Saleh. The minister assured that the ministry is interested in developing the universities, encouraging scientific research, opening centers for research and instruction in language and computers. The ministry also started a special directorate for evaluation and follow up the educational standard of the universities. The communication and agreement network of the ministry will be benefit from more than 70 agreement memorandums with different international universities were made until now. The minister also said that they plan to cover the needs in textbooks, laboratory and books.