Kurdistan’s Koya University and Kaplan launch English language centre in Kurdistan

16 September 2013, London -- Kurdistan’s Koya University and Kaplan International Colleges have formed a partnership to launch the Koya University English Language Centre (KUELC), located on the University’s campus in Koya, just outside Erbil, Kurdistan. The centre will take in its first 100 students in October, 2013.

KUELC will provide English language instruction to students who need to improve their English language skills before beginning postgraduate courses in the UK, US, other countries English-speaking countries, or countries where education institutions require academic English qualifications. In addition to the IELTS and TOEFL preparation programmes, KUELC has plans to expand within the next several years to offer an additional range of courses to individuals who are not just seeking an academic future, but who want to improve their English skills for personal and professional reasons.

Kaplan is providing academic management and English language instruction and the University is providing student service and the teaching facilities on the Koya campus. Additionally, Kaplan will offer students guidance regarding routes into UK and US universities for postgraduate studies.

The Kurdistan Regional Government is making large investments in education infrastructure and development. Their Human Capacity Development Programme (HCDP) provides US$100 million in scholarships for Kurdistan students to study for Master’s and Doctoral degrees at universities abroad. Any students hoping to gain a place at an English-speaking university need to have a minimum level of English proficiency.

Linda Cowan, Managing Director of Kaplan International Colleges in the UK said: “We are excited to be working with Koya University which, in its ten years of operation, has already made significant contributions to the on-going development of Kurdistan and the education of its population. The Government’s Human Capacity Development Programme will play a significant part in making world class higher education available to students from Kurdistan.”

Dr Dilan Rostam, Vice President, Scientific Affairs, Koya University, said: “It is a great opportunity for our university to work with such a highly skilled educational service provider as Kaplan. We are looking forward to making this project a successful one in terms of quality and outcome. The students at KUELC will not only get a language course but also an academic experience that is vital for their future studies abroad. Koya University stands for a brighter future for the Kurdistan Region through education and this partnership supports our aims.”

Kaplan has recruited seven staff for the language centre, three of whom are experienced English language teachers from Kaplan’s schools in the UK. An academic manager and operations manager have also joined the centre.

-Ends-

About Koya University

Established in 2003, Koya University has undergone major expansion and now includes four faculties with 25 departments in fields as diverse as petroleum engineering, geo-technics engineering, clinical psychology and biochemistry. There are more than 4,300 undergraduate and postgraduate students and 600 full and part time faculty.

About Kaplan International Colleges

Kaplan International Colleges delivers university pathway programmes for international students wishing to progress into higher education studies at leading universities, and English language training courses in the UK, North America, Europe, Australia, the United Arab Emirates and China.

For more information,

http://kuelc.koyauniversity.org/