The First Short-Term Training Program for International Applicants Held at Technical and Vocational University
In line with the internationalization policy of Technical and Vocational University, the first short-term training program for non-Iranian applicants was successfully held from January 5 to January 15. The program aimed to expand the university’s international engagement and promote skill-based education for neighboring countries.
As part of its strategic plan for internationalization and the development of skill diplomacy, Technical and Vocational University organized its first short-term training program for international applicants from Desember 26 to January 5 of this year. After arrival and departure arrangements and one rest day, the educational activities were conducted over eight intensive training days.
The participants included eight applicants from Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, representing diverse educational and professional backgrounds. The group consisted of graduates of technical and vocational high schools, bachelor’s degree holders in electrical engineering, and experienced electrical technicians employed by construction companies. The participants were introduced and coordinated by Grand Scale Company, whose CEO accompanied the group throughout the training period.
The course, titled “Introduction to Residential and Industrial Electrical Installations,” was designed to provide general skills required for entering a wide range of occupations related to the electrical industry. The program comprised 64 hours of instruction, including 16 hours of theoretical training and 48 hours of hands-on practical workshops, delivered in an in-person format.
The training was hosted at the Qazi Boys Faculty of Urmia, where workshop facilities were properly equipped in accordance with the educational requirements of the course. Two experienced instructors were appointed to conduct the training, one holding a PhD in Electrical Engineering and the other a Master’s degree in the same field. Due to cultural and linguistic proximity between the participants and the host region, Kurdish was used as the language of instruction, significantly enhancing communication and learning effectiveness.
A project-based learning approach was adopted throughout the program. Instructors first demonstrated practical projects, after which participants worked in small groups to complete similar tasks independently. By the end of the course, all participants successfully completed their final practical projects. Certificates of completion will be issued in English.
Among the key outcomes of this pilot program were the evaluation of the university’s educational infrastructure and operational capacity for international training, the assessment of participants’ technical knowledge and practical skills, and the creation of a positive and professional image of Technical and Vocational University among international partners. The expressed satisfaction of all participants confirmed the successful achievement of the program’s objectives.
This initiative represents an important step toward strengthening the international presence of Technical and Vocational University, expanding academic and training cooperation with institutions in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and developing sustainable sources of foreign income through the export of skill-based and vocational education.