In a new step toward strengthening its academic presence at the international level, Hadhramout University has entered into a strategic partnership within the framework of the MOVE project, which aims to enhance the employability of university graduates in labor markets. This initiative is carried out in collaboration with the Selah Foundation for Development, universities from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, and European partners from Italy and Spain.
During the launch event, Prof. Dr. Mohamed Khanbash, the President of Hadhramout University, presented the university’s ambitious vision behind its participation in this international project. Dr. Khanbash emphasized that “Hadhramout University’s involvement in the MOVE project reflects its strategic orientation toward strengthening its presence in the global academic landscape and solidifying its role as an active partner in international educational initiatives.”
The University President highlighted that this participation aligns with the institution’s ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of higher education and connect academic outputs with the needs of local and regional development. Through his introductory presentation, he outlined the university’s academic journey and the development of its scientific programs, underscoring its achievements in international partnerships, curriculum modernization, and the promotion of scientific research.
The MOVE project primarily aims to bridge the gap between academic outputs and labor market demands by aligning university curricula with actual workforce needs in both Yemen and the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The project aims to equip graduates with essential theoretical and practical skills, informed by feedback from various industrial sectors.
For his part, Dr. Lotfi Saeed Bin Dahman, Director of the Center for International Cooperation and Ranking at Hadhramout University, explained the pivotal role the university will play throughout the project’s implementation. He noted that “Hadhramout University is responsible for two key work packages within the project—dissemination and sustainability -alongside efforts to align academic curricula with labor market requirements.” He affirmed that this participation represents an important step toward building long-term educational partnerships with tangible developmental impact.
The project brings together a distinguished group of academic and developmental institutions, including Hadhramout University, the Selah Foundation for Development, four universities from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, the Union of Mediterranean Universities (UNIMED), the University of Calabria in Italy, and the University of Murcia in Spain.