Masrour Barzani Urges Salahuddin University Graduates to Innovate and Launch Small Businesses

ARK News.. Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani attended the graduation ceremony for the 45th cohort of Salahuddin University students in Erbil on Thursday, November 12, 2026.

The ceremony was attended by Kurdistan Parliament Speaker Vala Farid, the university’s president and council members, academic staff, and a large number of graduates’ family members.

In his address, Barzani congratulated the graduates, wishing them success and a bright future. He also thanked the university’s administration and teaching staff for their efforts and expressed appreciation for the sacrifices made by students’ families.

Barzani encouraged graduates to embrace innovation and take the initiative by launching small businesses. He stressed that true failure lies not in falling short of success, but in being afraid to try.
Talks with Baghdad on Kurdistan Region’s Rights
The prime minister also discussed the Kurdistan Region delegation’s recent visit to Baghdad, noting that intensive talks had been held with Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi. He said the discussions reaffirmed the constitutional and financial rights and entitlements of the people of Kurdistan, including securing the Region’s share of the federal budget.

The appointment of university graduates was also a key topic during the talks, Barzani said. He noted that the Kurdistan Region had not been permitted to recruit new public-sector employees for more than 12 years, despite thousands of students graduating annually, many of whom seek employment in the public sector.
Supporting the Private Sector and Employment
Barzani highlighted the support provided to the private sector in recent years and the measures taken to facilitate its role in creating job opportunities for young people.

He also said work was under way to amend the Labour Law to improve working conditions in the private sector, protect employees’ legal rights, and provide greater security for their future, bringing their working conditions closer to those in the public sector.
Kurdistan Parliament and Government Formation
Addressing the reactivation of the Kurdistan Parliament, Barzani said the move was intended to protect the Kurdistan Region’s legitimate institutional framework and was not directed against any individual or political party. Rather, he said, it aimed to restore public confidence among voters, communities, and political forces.

He praised the parliamentarians who had taken part in reactivating the legislature, saying they had fulfilled their moral, legal, and national responsibilities.

Barzani expressed hope that all political parties would approach the process with a sense of national responsibility, return to parliament, and actively participate in talks to form the Kurdistan Region’s new cabinet. He said this would respond to President Masoud Barzani’s call to unite efforts in serving the people of Kurdistan and making the Region stronger and more prosperous.

At the end of his speech, the prime minister paid tribute to the sacrifices of the martyrs and praised the Peshmerga forces and security agencies for safeguarding the Kurdistan Region’s security and stability.

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