Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies held a focus group on organizing academic specializations in universities and institutes across the Kurdistan Region and aligning them with labor market needs, highlighting the risks arising from the growing number of graduates and the limited availability of employment opportunities.

The focus group was held on Thursday, September 3, 2026. It began with a presentation by Dr. Bakhtiyar Obeid Sharif, Assistant President of the Sulaimani Polytechnic University for Student Affairs, entitled: “A Project to Regulate and Balance Higher Education, Specialized Workforce, and the Future Needs of the Kurdistan Region.”

During the presentation, Dr. Bakhtiyar Obeid highlighted the growing number of medical and health-related departments at public and private universities and institutes. He noted that there are 371 departments in medical and health fields across public and private universities, institutes, and higher education institutions.

He explained that the growing number of graduates from medical and health-related fields could lead to higher unemployment, fewer employment opportunities, an imbalance in the labor market, and negative impacts on the quality of education and practical training.

Following the presentation, an open discussion was held with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Health of the Kurdistan Regional Government, members of parliament, representatives of public and private universities, and a number of university professors. Participants shared their views and perspectives on the growing number of graduates in medical and health-related fields, as well as ways to reorganize and align higher education with the needs of the Kurdistan Region’s labor market.

Vision Foundation for Strategic Studies will compile the statistics, data, and outcomes of the discussions as part of a scientific study and will present recommendations and proposals aimed at providing sound, evidence-based solutions to these challenges.