Projects

Model School

CAPA has launched a model school project in Semele with Hafid secondary school to train the teacher and establish teacher training center together with the Directorate of Education in Semele.

Design Thinking Tech Bootcamp

What is CAPAi?


CAPAi Design Thinking Tech Bootcamp is a one-of-a-kind platform within Kurdistan for the brightest and most gifted young professionals. It will be facilitated by Raffi Simonian, who is the Executive Director of Epicenter for Action Research at the University of Los Angeles, California (UCLA) and has managed over 65 projects, including founding and facilitating similar bootcamps at Los Angeles Community College (LACC) and UCLA. This bootcamp at the American University of Kurdistan will provide scholarships to those professionals who have the courage to dream and come up with real solutions to real problems for the region and beyond. Participants are trained in entrepreneurship, which is based on thinking outside of the box. The bootcamp will enable innovative business thinking to flourish and contribute to sustainable business ideas, creating jobs and opportunities leading to growth and prosperity.

  • Bootcamp mode and place: In-person; on campus of The American University of Kurdistan in Duhok
  • Bootcamp Start/end dates: July 16 – July 27, 2023
  • Bootcamp Duration: 10 days divided in 2 weeks; total 40 hours
  • Sessions Per Week: 5 sessions; 4 hours each
  • Target: Senior Undergraduate students, graduates and young professionals
  • Number of Scholarships: 21
  • Each group is given a problem that is presented by the local and global industry experts before the kick-off of the bootcamp
  • The bootcamp is run by a trainer from the US with +35 years of experience in IT Sector. Each group is coached by an experienced individual who will work with the team throughout the bootcamp and the incubator program
  • Each Bootcamp session is accompanied by a different session speaker and expert to give presentations and work with individual groups to give tips and tricks in their area of expertise in various topics such as STEM skills, Project Management, UX UI, Analytics, Conflict Resolutions and more.
  • Groups compete by coming up with an innovative solution as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for their selected problem and will be judged by industry experts at the end of the bootcamp to determine the best MVP, and therefore, go into the incubation

  • Train undergraduate students and alumni to come up with innovative solutions to problems that the local community and industry is facing
  • Create internship and job opportunities for the bootcamp participants through the partners and sponsors of the bootcamp
  • Develop a culture to foster innovation in Kurdistan
  • Unleash the potential of tech designers
  • Unite local and global industry experts with local talents to solve real world problems

  • Bootcamp mode and place: In-person; on campus of The American University of Kurdistan in Duhok
  • Bootcamp Start/end dates: July 16 – July 27, 2023
  • Bootcamp Duration: 10 days divided in 2 weeks; total 40 hours
  • Sessions Per Week: 5 sessions; 4 hours each
  • Target: Junior and Senior Undergraduate students, graduates and young professionals
  • Number of Scholarships: for 21 participants divided into 3 groups
  • Participants are divided into three groups of 7. Each group is given a problem that is presented by the local and global industry experts through a panel discussion conducted before the kick-off of the bootcamp
  • The bootcamp is run by a trainer from the US with +35 years of experience in IT Sector. Each group is coached by an experienced individual who will work with the team throughout the bootcamp and the incubator program
  • Each Bootcamp session is accompanied by a different session speaker and expert to give presentations and work with individual groups to give tips and tricks in their area of expertise in various topics such as STEM skills, Project Management, UX UI, Analytics, Conflict Resolutions and more.
  • Groups compete by coming up with an innovative solution as a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) for their selected problem and will be judged by industry experts at the end of the bootcamp to determine the best MVP, and therefore, go into the incubation program that will last 5 months after the bootcamp.

Applicant has to meet the below criteria in order to be eligible to apply for this scholarship

  • Proficient in English in Speaking, writing, and listening
  • At least 20 years old and not more than 30 years old
  • Current University/college student, or a graduate.
  • Citizen and current resident in Iraq
  • Willing and able to attend a two week bootcamp which will take place 5 days a week and 4 hours a day.
  • Upon completion of the bootcamp and achievement of the best MVP, commit to actively participate and contribute to his/her team in the incubation program which will last 5 months after the bootcamp

Applicants will be evaluated on the following elements:

  • Commitment to voluntarism and contribution to the community in the local region.
  • Demonstrated record of community service work, projects, or voluntary experience.
  • Compassion to work with diverse groups of people.
  • Passion and interest in problem-solving, and proven STEM skills.
  • Good Social and Communication Skills
  • Good Academic Achievement
  • enthusiastic and positive attitude
  • Curiosity for Innovation and Entrepreneurship