About AUK
Founded in 2014 as a non-profit institution of higher learning by Masrour Barzani, the American University of Kurdistan is dedicated to preparing future generations of leaders through curricular and co-curricular excellence in an American style education focusing on transformative knowledge, innovative research, ethical community service, respect for inclusion and diversity, global connectedness, and life-long learning, all aiming to ensure economic, environmental, social and political advancement- regionally, nationally and globally.
Timeline of University History
| December 2013 | Laid the cornerstone of the American University of Kurdistan |
| December 2014 | Established the initial Colleges and Academic Programs |
| January 2015 | First Day of Classes |
| March 2015 | First Lalish Conference, repeated in 2016 and 2017 |
| March 2016 | Grand opening of the Mustafa Barzani Building (AUK Duhok Campus) |
| August 2016 | Opening of the College of Engineering |
| December 2016 | Conference on the Independence of Kurdistan |
| August 2017 | Received recognition from the Ministry of Higher Education in Baghdad |
| July 2018 | Granted licenses by the Ministry of Higher Education in Erbil to open Colleges of Medicine and Nursing |
| April 29, 2019 | Construction completed on the Female Residence Facility |
| September 2019 | Addition of the College of Nursing (first cohort entered fall 2020) |
| September 2019 | First Commencement Ceremony – 30 Graduates |
| November 2019 | First Middle-East Peace and Security Forum (MEPS) entitled “Pathways to Consensus: Iraq’s Future in a Turbulent Region?” |
| October 2020 | Receipt of first Grant from the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs; Grant titled "Supporting American-style Higher Education in Iraq"; subsequent grants awarded in 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 |
| June 2021 | Second Commencement Ceremony – 117 Graduates |
| July 2021 | International Nursing Conference in Kurdistan Region |
| August 2021 | First Institutional Strategic Planning Retreat with campus stakeholders |
| September 2021 | National Conversation on K-19 Education in Kurdistan |
| October 2021 | German Central Office for Foreign Education (ZAB) awards formal recognition to AUK |
| October 2021 | The launch of the Center for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) |
| November 2021 | Second MEPS Forum entitled “The Middle East in Transition: Winning and Keeping the Peace” |
| April 2022 | The New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) determines AUK to be eligible to proceed with an application for candidacy for accreditation |
| June 2022 | Third Commencement Ceremony – 145 Graduates |
| June 2022 | Formation of the AUK Endowment Foundation |
| October 2022 | First Annual Alumni Reunion |
| November 2022 | Third MEPS Forum entitled “The Middle East in the Emerging International Order: New Threats, Old Realities?” |
| March 2023 | Giving Day Event |
| April 2023 | AUK Nursing Simulation Conference |
| October 2023 | Second Annual Alumni Reunion |
| May 2023 | Fourth Commencement Ceremony – 153 Graduates |
| February 2024 | The College of Nursing announces its new Life Support Training Site licensed by the American Heart Association. |
| March 2024 | Giving Day Event |
| April 2024 | AUK launches the Leopard Radio |
| April 2024 | CAPA launches the She Leads, a Women Leadership Certificate Program |
| June 2024 | Fifth Commencement Ceremony – 64 Graduates |
| September 2024 | AUK granted candidacy status for accreditation by NECHE |
| November 2024 | Fifth MEPS Forum entitled “The Paradox of Peace in the Middle East” |
| December 2024 | AUK celebrates its 10th Anniversary |
| February 2025 | AUK’s Mascot, Cengo the Leopard, introduced during AUK’s first Homecoming event |
| March 2025 | Launch of crowdfunding campaigns for community outreach initiatives |
| April 2025 | NECHE approves AUK’s first Master’s program in Artificial Intelligence to be offered in fall 2025 |
| May 2025 | College of Nursing’s Inaugural Clinical Graduation Ceremony |
| June 2025 | Sixth Commencement Ceremony – 93 Graduates |