Our Partners

The US Department of State provides generous financial support and is the main donor of the project. The State Department's mission is to shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere. The State Department’s contribution will set the foundation for UN advocacy and Model UN programming in Iraq. These initiatives will empower Iraqi youth to combat violent extremism and sectarian/ethnic tension in their communities and across the region and it will contribute to the growing relationship of Kurdistan and Iraq with other countries in a meaningful way, through people-to-people diplomacy.
The U.S. Department of StateUS Government
The U.S. Department of State
The 2021 National Model United Nations conference is Iraq and Kurdistan’s first Model UN conference and it is hosted by Soran University.  Soran University was founded at the end of 2009, by decree of the Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government. Since its foundation, by concentrating on the quality of science, strengthening international relationships and support from the academic ability of both Kurdish and international specialists, Soran University has endeavored to present a new model of academic institutional experience. This is why over a short course of time Soran University has attracted the attention of so many people and a bright future is expected for the University, not just in Kurdistan, but also all around the globe. 
Soran UniversityPublic University in Erbil, Iraqi Kurdistan
Soran University
UCF is involved in the organization of the conference, providing support with curriculum design & training. The Kurdish Political Studies Program (KPSP) at UCF facilitates the partnership, contributing to stronger US-Kurdish relationships. KPSP is the first and only academic program dedicated to the study of politics of Kurds and Kurdistan in the United States. KPSP promotes academic studies and public awareness of Kurdish politics, organizes events addressing contemporary issues affecting Kurdish people, facilitates exchanges and collaborations between UCF and Kurdish universities, and develops curriculum focusing on themes related to the Kurdish experience. 
University of Central FloridaPublic university in Orlando, Florida
University of Central Florida
IREX provides generous support and technical expertise through the Higher Education Partnership Program (HEPP). IREX is an international organization focused on global education and development. IREX works with partners around the world to promote more just, prosperous, and inclusive societies in four areas essential to progress: empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Through HEPP, IREX supports the long-term partnership and engagement between US and Iraqi institutions. These partnerships are critical for the success of NMUNA and Model UN programming in Iraq. 
International Research & Exchanges BoardNonprofit Organisation based in Washington D.C.
International Research & Exchanges Board
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Dr. Mohammed Ali

Dr. Mohammed Ali is the Vice-President of Scientific Affairs at Soran University. He manages the university’s academic strategy and accreditation. During his time at Soran University, he has led the university to the top of university ranking in Kurdistan. Dr. Mohammed also oversees various centers such as the Career Development Center (CDC), the Center for Language and Academic Development (CLAD), the Center for Pedagogical Training and Academic Development, and Kurdistan Center for Gender Studies (KCGS).

Dr. Mohammed provides strategic support for the adoption of NMUNA at Soran University and higher education in Kurdistan. Dr. Ali is an advocate of educational reform and the need to provide engagement opportunities to students and modernize Kurdistan’s educational system. Dr. Mohammed Ali holds Ph.D in Chemistry from University of Kansas and Master of Science from Salahaddin University.

Dr. Güneş Murat Tezcür

Güneş Murat Tezcür is the Jalal Talabani Chair and a Professor at the School of Politics, Security, and International Affairs. He is a social scientist studying political violence, identity, and movements. His articles have appeared or are forthcoming in many different scholarly journals such as American Political Science Review, Comparative Politics, Foreign Policy Analysis, International Studies Perspectives and Journal of Peace Research. His research has been supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the United States Institute of Peace, and the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation. He conducts his research in Kurdish, Persian, and Turkish.

As the Chair of the first and only Kurdish Political Studies Program, Dr. Tezcür works closely with partner institutions in Kurdistan and the US. Under the Higher Education Partnership Program (HEPP), Dr. Tezcür helps develop global citizenship and leadership modules and provide capacity-building for faculty at Soran University. Dr. Tezcür holds a Ph.D in political science from University of Michigan and Bachelor in Political Science from Boğaziçi University.

Dr. Hemn Merany

Dr. Hemn Merany is the Dean of Faculty of Law, Politics and International Relations at Soran University. He manages Soran University’s undergraduate and graduate programs in Law, Political Science, International Relations, Business Administration,  and Management.

Dr. Merany is leading the efforts on incorporating NMUNA’s Model UN program and global citizenship modules into the Faculty’s curriculum.  Dr Merany holds a Ph.D in Politics from University of Leicester in the UK and Bachelor in Political Science. 

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