“AZDEHARK” Project Organizes Train-the-Trainer Workshop to Boost Entrepreneurship in Iraqi Technical Universities

Baghdad, Iraq – April 29, 2025

As part of its mission to foster innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, the EU-funded “Your Prosperity” project held a three-day Train-the-Trainer workshop in Baghdad from April 27 to 29, 2025.

The event brought together 12 representatives from Iraq’s four major technical universities:

•Northern Technical University

•Middle Technical University

•Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University

•Southern Technical University

Among the participants was Assistant Lecturer Azaddin Sakban Atiya, who represented the Southern Technical University in his capacity as head of the Technology Incubator Unit at the Administrative Technical Institute in Basra.

Led by international expert André Abi Awwad, the workshop aimed to align Iraqi technical universities with global entrepreneurship education standards. Sessions included hands-on training in startup development, idea generation, and business modeling using tools such as the Value Proposition Canvas and the Business Model Canvas.

Participants examined the current entrepreneurial landscape in Iraq, addressing issues such as curriculum design, mentorship, funding mechanisms, industry collaboration, infrastructure, and cultural support. They also developed an actionable roadmap for implementing entrepreneurship training programs across their institutions.

This workshop marks a significant step toward integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into technical education in Iraq, equipping students with the skills and mindset needed to thrive in a modern, evolving economy.

For more information, visit the European Union Delegation’s website or their official Facebook page.