Cihan University-Erbil and Chamber of Commerce Sign Strategic Memorandum of Understanding
In a special ceremony held at the VIP hall of Cihan University-Erbil, Professor Dr. Amjad Saber Al-Delawi, the President of Cihan University-Erbil, and Mr. Kamaran Salah Saeed, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed a strategic memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Cihan University-Erbil and the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The primary objective of the memorandum is to launch the first Chinese language learning course for approximately 60 merchants and chamber members, aimed at strengthening economic relations and facilitating trade with China.
The ceremony, held on Sunday, June 29, 2025, was attended by Dr. Nawzad Yahya Bajger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cihan Universities, members of the Cihan University-Erbil board, several members of the executive council of the Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a significant number of merchants, investors, faculty members, and university students.
“The university and the chamber of commerce are two main pillars of this country; the university trains personnel, while the chamber of commerce, representing the private sector, creates the groundwork for these personnel to find employment.” Said Professor Al-Delawi.
The university president began his speech by welcoming the distinguished guests, particularly Dr. Nawzad Yahya Bajger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cihan Universities, and Kamaran Salah, Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. He then stated: “Today, two main pillars of this country have come together here. One pillar is the university, which is the key to society and responsible for training and preparing personnel. The other pillar is the chamber of commerce, which is the economic leader of this country and creates the foundation for these personnel to work.”
He further emphasized the gap between theoretical education and the practical labor market, announcing: “Here at Cihan University-Erbil, we work to prepare skilled personnel.” He also mentioned the establishment of Cihan University’s Professional Academy, whose main objective is training and developing personnel not only for university students but for anyone who wants to enhance their skills.
In another part of his speech, Dr. Al-Delawi used a practical example to illustrate the difference between traditional and modern commerce, saying: “If you look at a shopkeeper on the street, you will find him having only a sack of rice, but when you go to a supermarket in places like Empire or Dream City, you see how the tradesmen research have conducted a research on consumers’ behaviour and how their products are displayed scientifically.”
He used this example as an encouragement for merchants, requesting that “every merchant and investor must update themselves and develop their capabilities, because nothing in this life exists without a scientific foundation.”
Finally, Dr. Al-Delawi emphasized that Cihan University-Erbil is fully prepared for all types of coordination to scientifically enhance the capabilities of the private sector so that our country can be at the level of developed nations, and our investors will no longer need to turn to neighbouring countries for their business.
“We believe that only knowledge and work can advance the country.”
On the same occasion, Dr. Nawzad Yahya Bajger, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Cihan Universities, emphasized in his speech the importance of having a scientific foundation for all work, stating: “Nothing in life exists without a scientific foundation. The greatest wealth in the world is the human mind, not oil and titanium. Humans have created everything themselves.” He also noted that knowledge comes from universities and work comes from chambers of commerce, saying: “We believe that only knowledge and work can advance the country.”
In another part of the ceremony, Kamaran Salah Saeed, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber, on behalf of himself and the Chamber’s Executive Council, thanked Cihan University for providing free learning opportunities and partnering with the Chamber in conducting activities. The Deputy Chairman stated that it is a source of joy that as the first step of this memorandum, a Chinese language learning course for members including merchants and professionals is being conducted, given the strong commercial relationship between China and the Kurdistan Region and the visits of many of our merchants to China, many of whom do not know this language, making it particularly important. He also said that as an executive council and the entire chamber management staff, they are ready to do whatever they can with Cihan University and any other center to record a beautiful history regarding the interests of their members.
In the final part of the ceremony, Professor Dr. Amjad Saber Al-Delawi, President of Cihan University-Erbil, and Kamaran Salah Saeed, Deputy Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, signed a memorandum of understanding between Cihan University-Erbil and Erbil Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The main purpose of this MoU is to develop capabilities and exchange information in a way that serves students and chamber members and creates a strong bridge between science and the market.
According to the agreement’s content, both parties will work toward several strategic objectives, including:
- Conducting joint scientific projects and research directly related to the needs of the labour market.
- Opening training courses and enhancing efficiency for Chamber members based on needs and demands,
- Organizing specialized courses for teaching international languages, such as Chinese, for merchants working with international markets,
- In addition to conducting training and internship doors for university students in companies and institutions that are Chamber members,
- Along with organizing conferences, seminars, and workshops that serve the interests of both parties and society as well.
