Our
for the Kurdish language.
The International Kurdish University Germany (i.G.) is a vision for academic freedom, cultural identity and international cooperation. Join us in shaping the future of the Kurdish language and become part of our movement!
Latest news
Digitalization of the Kurdish Language – A Shared Responsibility
On April 25 and 26, 2025, the conference on the digitalization of the Kurdish language will take place at the Kulturhaus Dresden – organized by our cooperation partner, the German-Kurdish Forum (DKF e.V.).
Every new beginning starts with a spark.
Newroz makes hearts beat faster. Kurds around the world celebrate the Kurdish New Year and spring festival: a symbol of hope, new beginnings and freedom. Music, dance and encounters fill the streets and squares, wherever there is a sense of community. For us at ikuas e.V., Newroz is more than just a festival. It is an expression of vitality, cultural strength and the desire for change. It reminds us to be courageous, to create spaces and to open up perspectives. In every song, in every movement, there is the dream of a life in dignity. Newroz Pîroz Be!
The foundation of our movement begins with courage!
It was the beginning of our movement. We founded ikuas e.V. in Dresden: the International Kurdish Union for Academia and Scholarships. Eight people with a common vision, driven by the desire to make education, language and Kurdish identity visible. We want to create spaces that were previously lacking for young Kurds, who are often caught between their origins and their future. More than an association is growing out of this foundation: a movement that strengthens, connects and changes. Our goal: the first international Kurdish university in Germany.
Further development of the Kurdish language.
The Kurdish language is at the heart of our work. With sound research, didactics and digitalization, we are laying a lasting foundation on which the Kurdish dialects can develop equally. Our approach is independent, multilingual and internationally networked, free of political interests, but firmly rooted in the needs of education, media and social participation. In this way, we create spaces in which Kurdish is taught today, shaped tomorrow and lived as a matter of course the day after tomorrow.
Our independent and open-minded university.
IKHS.DE is the first private university with a Kurdish profile outside Kurdistan. As an academically free institution without political or religious ties, we want to research and teach in Kurmancî, Sorani, German and English. A pluralistic curriculum, a culture of critical thinking and a broad international network create an open space for interdisciplinary ideas, intercultural exchange and forward-looking research.
Our foundation for equal opportunities.
Our planned foundation sees equal opportunities as the key to personal development and social progress. Through scholarships, we want to open up the path to IKHS.DE for talented students of all backgrounds. We want to promote innovative teaching and research initiatives with targeted projects and provide structural support to ensure the long-term quality of independent, multilingual higher education. We focus on diversity as a strength and forge international partnerships so that education transcends borders and cooperation grows worldwide.
One Kurd. One euro. A Kurdish university.
There are about 40 million Kurdish people in the world. For a sustainable vision for Kurdish education, we could establish the IKHS.DE Foundation to award over 300 scholarships at the university every year so that young Kurds could study in their language.
Become one of our supporters who promote Kurdish education in Germany.
We – are a movement.
We are the International Kurdish Union for Academia and Scholarships – ikuas e.V. – a civil society initiative of committed individuals, academics and supporters from the Kurdish diaspora and beyond.
Our common goal is the foundation of the first International Kurdish University in Germany, an academic institution that focuses on the Kurdish language, establishes Kurdology as an academic discipline and opens up new educational perspectives for young people.
With heart, mind and a clear vision, we build bridges between languages, cultures and academic systems for a free, international and sustainable Kurdish educational landscape.
Join us and become part of the movement.
Frequently asked questions
What is the International Kurdish University Germany?
The International Kurdish University Germany(IKHS.DE) is a private university in the process of being founded. It aims to be the first university outside Kurdistan to offer courses in Kurdology, language, history and culture – multilingual and interdisciplinary. Supported by the International Kurdish Union for Academia and Scholarships, the project is committed to academic freedom, political independence and equal opportunities.
Who is behind the project?
The IKHS.DE project is backed by the ikuas association, which was founded in Dresden on June 21, 2024. The association is led by a five-member board with Prof. Dr. Christoph Scholz as chairman, Dr. Younes Bahram as deputy chairman, Alexander Teßmann as treasurer and the assessors Dr. Zaradachet Hajo and Hozan Ibrahim. This is complemented by an international board of trustees and advisory board, who support the project with scientific expertise and networking skills. All those involved work on a voluntary, politically and religiously independent basis to establish the International Kurdish University Germany as the first university with a Kurdish profile outside Kurdistan.
What is the International Kurdish Union for Academia and Scholarships?
ikuas e.V. is an association founded in Dresden in 2024 to establish the International Kurdish University Germany(IKHS.DE). Politically and religiously independent, it coordinates funding and foundation, develops teaching and research materials on Kurdology and networks academia and the diaspora. The association is financed by donations.
Why is a university with a focus on Kurdology being founded?
The university is being established because Kurdology has hardly had any structures of its own at European universities to date. It will systematically research the Kurdish language, develop textbooks and digital resources and thus contribute to standardization and modernization. At the same time, it offers the large Kurdish diaspora in Germany an academic place to combine identity and science and creates new approaches to topics such as conflict research and multilingualism for German and international students.
In short, it closes an academic gap, strengthens cultural heritage and broadens the perspectives of the German university landscape.
When will the university open?
We are currently in the start-up and financing phase as well as in the campus preparations. Depending on how the project progresses, the campus is expected to open in two to three years.
Is it taught in Kurdish?
Yes, the core modules of Kurdology are taught in Kurdish, both in Kurmancî and Sorani. Supplementary courses are mainly taught in German or English. The university thus makes an important contribution to the academization and sustainability of the Kurdish language.
How can I support the project?
You can support IKHS.DE and the supporting association ikuas e.V. in several ways:
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Donate: conveniently via online form or bank transfer. Take a look at our donation page.
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Corporate or foundation partnership: finance professorships or scholarship funds.
- WhatsApp community: Join our community, get first-hand updates and network with other supporters.
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Become part of the movement: Share our project on social media and make your network aware of the International Kurdish University.
If you have any questions about your support, simply write to [email protected] – our dedicated team will be happy to help you with donations, membership or cooperation.