The President of the University of Zakho, Dr. Diyar A. Saeed, participated in the opening ceremony of the First International Conference on Applied Sciences and Development (ICASD2026), held at the Conference Hall of the University of Akre for Applied Sciences.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Sabah I. Wais, Advisor and Representative of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Manhal Ilham Abdal, President of the University of Akre for Applied Sciences, in addition to a number of presidents of universities in the Kurdistan Region, members of the Kurdistan Parliament and the Iraqi Council of Representatives, government officials, and a number of academics and researchers.

The two-day conference, held from September 15 to 16, is considered an important and strategic platform for advancing applied sciences and strengthening their connection with the needs of the labor market and the process of sustainable development in the Kurdistan Region.

On the first day of the conference, following the opening remarks and welcoming speeches, two significant scientific panels were held with the participation of the attendees. The panels addressed the needs of applied science institutions and the alignment of academic programs with labor market demands.

The conference provides an academic platform for researchers and higher education institutions to exchange knowledge and discuss approaches to strengthening applied sciences, developing academic programs, and responding to the evolving needs of the labor market and sustainable development.