As part of its ongoing efforts to prepare highly qualified trainers in the field of entrepreneurship, equipped to help students and graduates transform their creative ideas into successful and scalable startups, Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University took part in a three-day “Train the Trainers” workshop on best practices in entrepreneurship, held in Baghdad and organized by the EU-funded Izdeharak Project. The university was represented by Mr. Ali Al-Zalmi, Director of the Department of Scientific Affairs at the University Presidency. The workshop was attended by 12 participants representing Iraq’s four technical universities.
The workshop was led by entrepreneurship trainer Mr. Andre Abi Awwad, and focused on aligning Iraqi technical universities with global standards in the field of entrepreneurship. Participants were introduced to key frameworks necessary for effectively teaching entrepreneurship and supporting students in turning their ideas into real, viable projects.
The sessions addressed the current state of entrepreneurship in Iraq in relation to curriculum design, mentorship and practical experience, funding mechanisms, industry engagement, cultural support, ecosystem collaboration, and the policy and infrastructure landscape. These components were examined and compared with international best practices.
The training aimed to identify opportunities for development to bridge the gaps between local and international standards, adopt best practices, and strengthen the entrepreneurial mindset among students. It included practical training on the fundamentals of startups, ideation techniques, and the use of business modeling tools such as the Value Proposition Canvas and the Business Model Canvas. Participants also developed an executive plan for implementing entrepreneurship training within Iraq’s technical universities.
The workshop represented an important step toward integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into Iraq’s technical education system, with the goal of equipping students with the mindset and skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving economic landscape. Also representing the university were Assistant Professor Dr. Haider Fawzi Mahmoud from Al-Mussaib Technical College and Lecturer Assistant Humam Hussein Ahmed from the Technology Incubators and Ecosystem Division at the University Presidency.
