The first Project Steering Committee was held today for the European Union funded Project, "JOBS CREATION THROUGH TECHNICAL & VOCATIONAL EDUCATION SYSTEM STRENGTHENING & LABOUR MARKET LINKAGES". This second Phase of the TVET reform project is under implementation by UNESCO and is focused on developing 5 Centres of Vocational Excellence in the Ministry of Education's Vocational schools and reforming the curriculum of the 7 Technical Universities and Polytechnics through the application of the Bologna process.
The meeting was opened by Dr Hamid Khalaf of the Education Initiative, who reflected on the achievements of previous project and emphasised the importance of ensuring sustainability of the reforms to date. Dr Falah Al Quaisi the deputy Minister of Education who thanked the EU for funding the second phase and stressed the centrality of TVET in helping to rebuild the economy and deliver meaningfully employment for young Iraqis. Ms. Barbara Egger, the Head of Cooperation Section at the Delegation of the EU to Iraq renewed European Union commitment to support economic development and job creation in Iraq. Quality education, and in particular TVET, is crucial to best prepare Iraqi Youth with all relevant skills that help them to successfully find a decent job in Iraq's competitive labour market. Mr. Paolo Fontani, the UNESCO Representative in Iraq pointed out that the establishments of 5 centres of excellence would act as incubators, driving quality improvements across the MoE Vocational schools and transforming the TVET provision in Iraq.
The meeting approved the Terms of reference of the committee and then the Senior Project Officer Tim Mizen presented the project Outcomes and the 6 monthly workplan, which was fully endorsed by the meeting.”