Duhok, Kurdistan Region, On December 2, 2025, The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) proudly celebrated Giving Tuesday with an afternoon featuring creativity, community, and generosity. This year’s event brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of the University in support of the AUK Financial Aid Fund, making education more accessible to students.
The celebration opened with remarks from Natalie Alec, Manager of Operations at the Office of Advancement, who welcomed the audience and highlighted the importance of supporting student financial aid. She was followed by AUK President Dr. Randall Rhodes, who spoke about the University’s mission and the shared responsibility of fostering a strong culture of giving for the support of the students.
The program began with the screening of two short films by AUK alumnus Sarhat Nariman. His films titled The Shepherd and The Untold Story of Shahmaran were followed by comments and a question-and-answer session with the artist.
Next, the Office of Advancement hosted an art auction, featuring objects generously donated by members of the AUK community, including books by AUK students, paintings and digital prints by AUK staff, works by artists from across Kurdistan, and other items. All funds raised directly support the Financial Aid Fund.
The success of Giving Tuesday reflects the unity and shared commitment of the AUK community to opening doors of opportunity for our students. Their generosity continues to strengthen a culture of giving that enriches the entire university. On Giving Tuesday, ninety-three faculty, staff, and students donated.
As AUK continues to grow, events like Giving Tuesday demonstrate how collective generosity can create a lasting impact. We look forward to building on th
