AUK Launches Leopard Radio

Duhok, Kurdistan Region – March 24, 2024 – The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) successfully established its own radio station, “98.7 AUK FM – Leopard Radio,” and went LIVE right after the Newroz holiday following two weeks of test broadcast.

Leopard Radio aims to provide an educational and entertainment resource to the Kurdistan Region while also supporting AUK’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 AUK.

“Thank you to everyone who made this project possible, especially the U.S. Department of State and their third grant (DOS3) to AUK, which enabled us to promote journalism education, and eventually fund the establishment of the radio station and production lab,” said Thomas Hayes, Director of AUK FM – Leopard Radio and Department Chair of the University’s General Education Program.  “Besides challenges and thanks to the help of my colleagues at AUK, 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 AUK’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 AUK FM anticipates a show called “Focus on AUK,” which will feature interviews with members of the AUK community to help present the institution, its academic programs, and initiatives to new audiences.