AUK Foundation

The AUK Foundation exists to nurture and oversee the development of a strong and positive relationship between The American University of Kurdistan at Duhok and external individuals, organizations and governments, both within Kurdistan and internationally.

In doing this, the Foundation is establishing mutually-supportive links that are helping the university to achieve its most critical objectives, principally by securing necessary donor support.  The American University of Kurdistan is a non-profit organization that is reliant on external fundraising in order to finance capital and non-capital projects.  Through its support for the university, the AUK Foundation will play a transformative part in raising the standard of education in Kurdistan, sponsoring a range of important educational initiatives, and thereby nurturing a new generation of Kurdish public servants, businessman and leaders of civil society.

The Foundation is dedicated to advancing the cause of democracy, equal rights, tolerance and freedom within Kurdistan.  As a reflection of these principles, in partnership with the university, the Foundation is providing funding for critically important relief efforts to assist displaced persons, refugees, and other groups affected by regional conflict.  For example, it has launched a major project to finance the education of IDPs, and is seeking to establish a dedicated center at the university aimed at integrating the female victims of war into society, through provision of therapy, educational opportunities and employment.

As we begin 2017, Kurdistan is approaching a fundamental positive turning point in its existence.  After the defeat of the Islamic State, and based on the remarkable efforts of the Kurdish Regional Government and the heroes of the Peshmerga, the people of our troubled country will have a historic opportunity to embrace the well-established principle of self-determination and build for themselves a prosperous and peaceful future, in partnership with their neighbors.  The AUK Foundation has an important role to play in this process, providing essential financial support for a university that is already establishing its reputation as a leading center of academic excellence in the region.