Dr. Rahmani’s lecture centered on his book titled “Rooftop Societies: The Middle East Paradox,” which sheds light on the historical significance of rooftops and the societal dynamics shaped by state-society relations. He stated, “Why call the Middle East society the rooftop society you ask? Because during my life, the flat rooftop has been giving me a secondary space to live.” During his presentation, Dr. Rahmani highlighted the consequences of limited intellectual space in the Middle East and contrasted the region’s media and academic diversity with Kurdistan’s commitment to global engagement and democratic aspirations.

The event served as a platform to promote dialogue and understanding on geo-political realities across the region, aligning with the overarching theme of the month “Achieve a diverse and inclusive society”.

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Guest Lecture: Exploring Kurdistan Region’s Relations with its Neighbors

�����Ƶapp’s CPHS Hosts Ambassador of Japan to Iraq Futoshi Matsumoto for a Lecture

Ava Homa, a highly regarded author, speaker, activist, and faculty member at California State University, Monterey Bay, shared her insights and experiences during a pre-recorded session that was played in the Auditorium on Tuesday, April 23, 2024.

“Daughters of Smoke and Fire” tells a powerful story of a young woman’s courageous fight for freedom and justice for her brother. During her message to �����Ƶapp students, Ava Homa emphasized the importance of recognizing one’s own power and identity, particularly in the face of challenges. She urged the audience to appreciate their individual strengths and not to underestimate their significance.

“You are more important than you think; do not give your power away. You have a lot of power,” Homa expressed. “It’s very difficult to be a Kurd in this world, but there is a spirit of courage and resistance that we have inherited from our ancestors that other people are lacking. Take pride in who you are.”

Homa encouraged attendees to be kind to themselves and value their power. She emphasized the importance of sharing that power with fellow Kurds, and promoting unity and empowerment within the community. According to Homa, relying on external sources for validation and support is insufficient, and it is the responsibility of Kurds to uplift one another.

The �����Ƶapp Library’s initiative to host Ava Homa as a guest speaker on World Book & Copyright Day reflects �����Ƶapp’s commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive society, by bringing together individuals from around the world to engage in important discussions.

Aween A. Abubaker holds a BSc from Salahaddin University, and an MSc from Vienna University of Technology. Abubaker has also made significant contributions as a Structural and BIM Engineer at SOM in New York, and currently serves as a Computational Designer Structural Engineer at SOM in London.

During the seminar, Abubaker introduced the concept of computational thinking, emphasizing its ability to transcend traditional logic and conventions. She encouraged students to recognize geometric patterns and proportions, urging them to embrace innovation and think beyond their comfort zones to create sustainable and inclusive solutions.

In her concluding remarks, Abubaker delivered an inspiring message to the audience, particularly the �����Ƶapp students, emphasizing that mastery of computational thinking requires careful tool selection, creation, decision-making, and coding. She encouraged them to actively seek out the best tools, create new ones when necessary, make informed decisions, and embrace coding as a means to unlock endless possibilities.

During the visit, Dr. Ghazi expressed the hospital’s ambition to “attain accreditation status for the Hospital, underscoring our commitment to ensuring high standards of quality and care within the medical facility.”

Furthermore, the partnership with Dr. Ghazi Hospital reflects �����Ƶapp’s commitment to forging meaningful connections with industry stakeholders and ensuring that its graduates are well-prepared to meet the demands of the healthcare industry.

Leopard Radio aims to provide an educational and entertainment resource to the Kurdistan Region while also supporting �����Ƶapp’s mission of preparing students with transformative knowledge and advanced radio and multimedia production skills. These skills will improve critical thinking, public speaking, presentation, and self-confidence, giving students a competitive advantage in the media and journalism sector after they graduate from �����Ƶapp.

“Thank you to everyone who made this project possible, especially the U.S. Department of State and their third grant (DOS3) to �����Ƶapp, which enabled us to promote journalism education, and eventually fund the establishment of the radio station and production lab,” said Thomas Hayes, Director of �����Ƶapp FM – Leopard Radio and Department Chair of the University’s General Education Program.  “Besides challenges and thanks to the help of my colleagues at �����Ƶapp, I am proud to say that Leopard Radio, 98.7 FM, is on the air now, and we are ready to serve the community,” he added.

Serving the community is the right keyword regarding �����Ƶapp’s theme of the month, “Achieving a Stronger Kurdistan,” part of the narrative surrounding the University’s celebration of its 10th anniversary in 2024.

Mr. Hayes is currently planning programming ideas for the station and welcomes input from interested academics, staff, and students. Aside from students doing the majority of the on-air work, 98.7 �����Ƶapp FM anticipates a show called “Focus on �����Ƶapp,” which will feature interviews with members of the �����Ƶapp community to help present the institution, its academic programs, and initiatives to new audiences.

The workshop aimed to provide 12th-grade students at DBIS with a crash course in electronics and programming, featuring practical and applied learning.

Ibrahim Hama, President of the �����Ƶapp IET-on-Campus Club, oversaw the workshop with his team: Songul Ali, Sidra Sulaiman, Sereen Khudir, Lelav Ameen, Niyas Tayib, and Giorgees Kursh.

Throughout the workshop, the �����Ƶapp Student Club members demonstrated the intricacies of microscopic circuits and showcased the practical applications of coding, thus modeling a culture of innovation. The event primarily focused on hands-on activities, highlighting their creativity and problem-solving skills.

The Student Club plans to hold similar seminars in other Duhok high schools, with the overall objective of igniting students’ interest in electronics and programming, and thereby contributing to �����Ƶapp’s institutional theme of the month, “Achieving a Stronger Kurdistan”.

The MOU was signed at �����Ƶapp by both parties, represented by �����Ƶapp President Dr. Randall Rhodes and Kurdistan Private Hospital Manager Dr. Ramazan Salahaddine. The agreement establishes a framework whereby third-year nursing students at �����Ƶapp will be able to participate in a clinical internship, with a particular emphasis on the hands-on elements of Child Health Nursing and Reproductive Health Nursing.

Dr. Ramazan Salahaddine provided valuable insights regarding the hospital’s strategic initiatives, emphasizing their aspiration to broaden their range of services. “Our overarching objective is to draw in patients from beyond the local area, underscoring Kurdistan Private Hospital’s dedication to establishing itself as a healthcare center for the region and making a positive impact on the community as a whole.” Furthermore, “�����Ƶapp, being a globally renowned establishment, is an ideal collaborator in helping us accomplish these goals.”

With a focus on maternity care, Kurdistan Private Hospital has allocated resources to furnish three labor chambers and four operating theaters in order to create a nurturing and secure setting for pregnant women. The practical experience provided by Kurdistan Private Hospital serves as a valuable supplement to the theoretical knowledge that students gain in the classroom at �����Ƶapp. It offers them access to real-world healthcare practices.

The theme for the month of March at �����Ƶapp, “Achieving a Stronger Kurdistan,” aligns with the institution’s objective of partnering with the industry’s leading institutions like The Kurdistan Private Hospital to produce nurses who are prepared to enter and lead within the nursing profession.

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Partnership between �����Ƶapp and Shiryan Hospital

�����Ƶapp and Nawroz Private Hospital Partner to Enhance Nursing Education and Clinical Training

The NECHE team consisted of Dr. David Quigley, Boston College; Marianne Cwalina, Consultant on Higher Education Financials; Dr. Joseph B. Farhat, Central Connecticut State University; Dr. Christopher S. Taylor, Al Akhawayn University; and Christopher H. Rhoda, Thomas College.

In the concluding assembly in �����Ƶapp’s auditorium, the visiting team expressed its appreciation for not only the progress the institution has made over the past few years but also the enthusiasm, dedication, and professionalism of the faculty and staff.

“The visit was beneficial as it identified areas requiring further attention and presented in concrete terms the roadmap for moving forward,” stated Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of the American University of Kurdistan. The President also extended special thanks to the faculty and staff who participated in the writing of the Self-Study Report and the Accreditation Team in keeping the process moving forward over the past two years: Dr. Lee Bash, �����Ƶapp’s Accreditation Consultant; Dr. Honar Issa, Secretary of �����Ƶapp’s Board of Trustees; and Ajin Saadi, Director of �����Ƶapp’s Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning.

It is important to note that Candidacy is not accreditation itself; rather, it represents a formal affiliation with NECHE that indicates the institution’s progress towards accreditation. If �����Ƶapp attains Candidacy, then it will have another visit in the next years to assess its readiness for membership within NECHE.

�����Ƶapp maintains U.S. accreditation as one of its top priorities as it will raise the institutional profile and ensure that the University be recognized as a premier institution in the Middle East – one that continually is advancing and adhering to American best practices in higher education.

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Interview with Vice President of NECHE Dr. Carol Anderson

�����Ƶapp’s NECHE Accreditation Drive Enters Its Next Phase

Interview with Accreditation Consultant Dr. Lee Bash

U.S. Department of State Awards �����Ƶapp the Fourth Grant

Addressing the gathering, �����Ƶapp President Dr. Randall Rhodes expressed the significance of the event, stating, “Today, we celebrate a sense of community engagement, student involvement, and giving back to the communities that are integral to us. As we commemorate our 10th anniversary, March is dedicated to the patriotic building of Kurdistan, shaping a better future for all.”

�����Ƶapp Vice President for Advancement, Manal Issa, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the kindness and generosity of the �����Ƶapp community. “�����Ƶapp Giving Day is a testament to the support of our students and the institution itself,” expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the cause.

Central to the festivities was a concert by international artist Dashni Morad; proceeds were directed towards financial aid for �����Ƶapp student scholars. The event also provided a platform to showcase �����Ƶapp alumni businesses. Alumni supporting the event through sponsorship and in-kind donations included Vina Nawzad (Shiyaw Beauty Salon), Abdulrahman Hassan (Mado), and Van Mikhail (Outro Lado). Donors to the �����Ƶapp Giving Day concert were presented with a symbolic gesture—a plant nurtured from the �����Ƶapp Garden, symbolizing the institution’s resilience and growth.

�����Ƶapp Giving Day is a groundbreaking initiative, redefining community philanthropy. This substantial growth in fundraising programming highlights the growing support and enthusiasm for philanthropic initiatives and community building among members of the �����Ƶapp community.

After the discussion, the Consul General toured �����Ƶapp’s campus, including labs supported by the U.S. Department of State Grants, classrooms, library, and student social spaces. Consul General Beerends also engaged in conversations with �����Ƶapp employees who are Dutch citizens.

There will be additional conversations in the months to come as both the Dutch Consulate and �����Ƶapp work collaboratively for the benefit of the University community, its students, and the Kurdish people, as whole. As the University celebrates its 10^th Anniversary, it reaffirms its dedication to fostering initiatives and international partnerships aiming to empower its faculty, staff, and students, and contribute to building a strong Kurdistan.

Other visits:

Canadian Parliamentarians Visit �����Ƶapp

Ambassador of India Visits �����Ƶapp