Washington DC, USA (us.gov.krd) – The Kurdistan Regional Government Representation proudly participated in a virtual ceremony commemorating the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) and Missouri State University (MSU) on July 27, 2023.

In this virtual event, both educational institutions solidified their collaboration, creating a framework that encompasses academic programs, research, and cultural exchange. Represented by Mr. Clifton M. Smart, III, President of MSU, and Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of AUK, this partnership aims to offer enriching opportunities for students and faculty while fostering international cooperation. The facilitation of the agreement was overseen by Mr. Delovan Barwari, Director of Public and Academic Affairs at Kurdistan Regional Government Representation in the United States.

Key features of the agreement include innovative 3+2 and 4+1 Bachelor's to Master's Degree Programs. AUK students will spend three years studying their bachelor's program at AUK, followed by the final year at MSU, earning the esteemed AUK degree before seamlessly transitioning to an MSU master's program. Alternatively, AUK students may directly enroll in MSU after completing their bachelor's degree at AUK. During their time in Missouri, AUK students will be responsible for tuition and expenses, though they can take advantage of MSU's International Partners Scholarship, significantly reducing out-of-state tuition by 75%.

The MSU master's programs included in this partnership encompass Project Management and International Studies.

Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of AUK, expressed heartfelt appreciation, stating, “The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) is profoundly grateful to Missouri State University for this new collaboration, fostering mobility opportunities for our students, faculty, and staff. Our shared vision for internationalization promises to enhance common understandings, pedagogical advancements, and research of mutual interest. We extend our appreciation to the Kurdistan Regional Government's Office in Washington, D.C., for advocating educational and cultural exchanges that strengthen understanding between AUK and U.S. universities.”

Brad Bodenhausen, Vice President of Community and Global Partnerships at Missouri State University, echoed this sentiment, stating, “Missouri State University (MSU) is pleased to enter this agreement with The American University of Kurdistan (AUK). International collaborations like this allow us to learn from each other, share best practices, and provide valuable global engagement opportunities for our students and faculty. We recognize the importance of having an active partner university in the Kurdistan Region and are honored to be associated with AUK. We appreciate the essential role of the Kurdistan Regional Government's Representative Office in facilitating this introduction.”

The KRG Mission extends heartfelt congratulations to The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) and Missouri State University (MSU) for signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This milestone strengthens educational collaborations, and we take pride in contributing to this crucial initiative. The KRG Mission remains steadfast in promoting and supporting academic partnerships between American and Kurdish universities, fostering knowledge exchange, and advancing educational excellence.