Next Step Fair 2026
Get Zankoline advising and choose the university or institute you want. All services are free — just bring your grades and questions with you.
For students, graduates and parents
Talk to university admissions officers, get help filling out your Zankoline application on the spot, and join seminars and workshops. It's all free — no need to book ahead.
- Direct Student Guidance
- 32 universities and institutes
- Seminars & Workshops
- Scholarship Opportunities
- Free Entry (No prior booking required)
For ministries, missions and university leadership
Under the theme of "Preparing for 2030," ministry officials, diplomatic representatives, and university leadership come together to discuss the future of higher education in the region and preparations for 2030. Participate via advance registration. The conference is conducted in Kurdish, Arabic, and English.
- Keynotes & Discussion Panels
- Day 1 Agenda
- Main Conference Themes
- Languages: KU • AR • EN
- By Official Invitation Only
The days that shape your next four years
Next Step started in 2023 with 9 universities in a single hall in Sulaymaniyah. In the 2025 round, 14,600 visitors and 28 institutions took part. In the 2026 round, the fair runs for three days and adds a policy conference on the first day.
Next Step works with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and is registered with UN DESA as a sustainable development initiative.
Everything at the fair is free for students: seminars, workshops, the Zankoline help desk, and one-to-one advice.
About Next Step
Why attend
Finish your Zankoline application
Staffed desks walk you through the form, document by document, until it is submitted.
Meet admission officers
Ask about entry scores, tuition and transfers to the person who decides.
Workshops and panels
CV clinics, interview practice, and graduates explaining what they actually chose.
Scholarships and discounts
Named programmes with real deadlines, plus fee reductions offered at the fair only.
Career guidance
Employers describe the roles they are hiring for and the skills they screen on.
Networking
Students, teachers, universities and employers in one hall for three days.
We help you fill in your Zankoline
The form that decides where you study, filled in with an adviser beside you — in seven places this year, and free. Bring your marks and your questions.
See the seven centresRegistered as an SDG Acceleration Action with UN DESA
Next Step reports against five goals. Each one has a measurable indicator, published in the annual impact report.
Featured speakers
View all 5
Agenda preview
Full 3-day agenda30 universities and institutes
Who is exhibiting
Partners & sponsors
View all 3
News & activities
All newsMinistry confirms the Day 1 conference programme
The Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research will open the 4th edition and chair the closed roundtable on cross-border recognition of Kurdistan Region qualifications.
Four Turkish universities join the 2026 floor
Bilkent, METU, Bahçeşehir and Sabancı will hold desks in Hall A across all three days, with on-site conditional offers.
2025 carbon footprint statement published
Printed material fell 62% against 2024 after the move to digital badges, directories and agendas.