On Sunday, October 11, 2026, a group of fourth-stage students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil participated in the Legal Ranj programme broadcast on Rudaw TV. The programme addressed university admission policies, students’ future prospects, and the importance of aligning higher education with the evolving needs of the labour market.

During the discussion, Bryar Dler Abdulrahman and Mskn Ismail Azo Abdulrahman contributed their perspectives on the challenges facing higher education and the need to establish an effective balance between university admissions and labour market demands.

Dr. Khattab Ahmed, Director General at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, explained that addressing the imbalance between the number of university graduates and labour market requirements requires appropriate regulations and coordination with the Ministry of Planning. He also noted that strategic plans and policies had been developed to address labour market needs and guide the higher education sector.

During the discussion, Bryar Dler Abdulrahman raised a question about the implementation of these strategies. He noted that the existing plan dated back to 2017 and asked whether it needed to be updated to reflect current developments and changing labour market demands.

Dr. Karzan Muhsin, a researcher at Salahaddin University, also shared his perspective, emphasizing that universities should play a leading role in determining academic programmes and specializations based on their educational expertise and broader responsibilities.

 He highlighted the importance of considering labour market demands in academic planning while ensuring that these demands do not become the sole determinant of the academic departments and programmes universities establish.

The students’ participation provided them with an opportunity to engage in a public discussion on higher education policy, express their perspectives on current challenges, and explore the relationship between university education, strategic planning, and future employment opportunities.