In line with the directives of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and in accordance with Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University’s policy to raise awareness among students and graduates regarding support for entrepreneurship, a number of the university’s entrepreneurship trainers participated in a developmental workshop organized by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) – Tawasol Project in Erbil, Kurdistan, Iraq. The workshop, attended in part by Dr. Hussein Falamars, Advisor to the Prime Minister and Supervisor of the Riada Initiative, featured a series of lectures and practical training sessions designed to prepare trainers in the field of entrepreneurship. Prof. Ali Abdul-Hussein Al-Dalemi, Director of the Scientific Affairs Department, stated that the workshop covered the Business Model Canvas, explaining how students and graduates applying for projects can complete it effectively. The discussion highlighted the key elements that should be considered, including all aspects of an entrepreneurial idea and the process of transforming it into a successful and sustainable project.
He added that the workshop also included lectures and hands-on sessions on financial and accounting fundamentals for small and emerging projects, focusing on accurate scientific approaches to conducting financial calculations for such businesses. Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ameer Hussein Mohammed, Head of the University’s Technology Incubator Unit, noted that the training sessions covered various topics, including go-to-market strategy, customer identification, project value proposition, marketing strategy, market research, and data sources.
At the conclusion of the workshop, discussions were held on developing a guide on the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, which serves as a roadmap for trainers to ensure effective training in selecting projects eligible for support and funding. This includes opportunities from the Riada Initiative or potential investors interested in adopting entrepreneurial ideas, particularly in light of the ninth amendment to the Higher Education and Scientific Research Law, which provides a suitable legislative framework for technology incubators within the ministry and facilitates funding for student and graduate-led entrepreneurial projects.
The five-day workshop was attended by several entrepreneurship trainers from the University Presidency, the Administrative Technical College in Kufa, the Technical Institute in Najaf, and the Technical Institute in Samawa.
