RCIC adds Ontario diploma pathway in Sulaymaniyah

Royal Canadian International Community has partnered with Rosedale International Education to bring the Ontario Secondary School Diploma to Sulaymaniyah, Iraq, starting with a planned inaugural cohort in 2027-28. The move keeps students at RCIC through graduation for the first time and adds a Canadian diploma with university pathways abroad.

Why it matters: - The partnership gives RCIC students a full senior secondary pathway without leaving the school after Grade 8. - The Ontario Secondary School Diploma adds a globally recognized credential with direct routes to universities in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and other countries. - The program brings the Rosedale OSSD to Iraq for the first time.

What happened: - Royal Canadian International Community announced a new partnership with Rosedale International Education on September 3, 2026. - RCIC will offer the Ontario Secondary School Diploma as an in-house senior secondary pathway in Sulaymaniyah, Kurdistan Region, Iraq. - RCIC currently serves students through Cambridge International Early Years and Cambridge Lower Secondary, through Grade 8. - The school has operated in Sulaymaniyah since 2025.

The details: - RCIC teaching staff will handle day-to-day instruction. - Rosedale’s Ontario-certified educators will oversee academic evaluation and credentialing. - The partnership is designed to comply with Ontario Ministry of Education standards. - RCIC says the new pathway lets students continue at the school through graduation. - The school serves students in a trilingual setting: English, Arabic and Kurdish. - RCIC is licensed by the Iraqi Ministry of Education and is located in Aburinasan City, Sulaymaniyah. - Rosedale International Education supports schools across 19+ countries through its Rosedale Global School Network. - Rosedale Global High School is licensed by the Ontario Ministry of Education under BSID #668726. - Rosedale says its network has helped 5,000+ graduates achieve a 100% university acceptance rate. - The company’s social media links include LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Between the lines: - The deal helps RCIC move from a school that ended at lower secondary into one that can retain students through the final years of high school. - For Rosedale, the partnership expands its international footprint into Iraq and adds another partner school to its global network. - The arrangement also signals continued demand for internationally recognized diplomas in markets where families want more direct university pathways. - Sarwar Mahmood, principal of RCIC, said the partnership will allow the school to stay with students through graduation and give them a diploma that opens doors at universities. - Ravi Kumar, regional head of global education partnerships at Rosedale International Education, said the company is excited to support RCIC’s expansion and create new opportunities for students.

What's next: - The inaugural OSSD cohort is targeted for the 2027-28 school year. - Enrollment is scheduled to open on July 1, 2027. - Information sessions for interested families are set to begin May 1, 2027. - RCIC and Rosedale will need to complete the setup, staffing and academic readiness needed before the first cohort starts.

The bottom line: - RCIC is adding a Canadian diploma track that could keep more students in Sulaymaniyah through graduation and widen their postsecondary options abroad.