Freshman Aiyham Mahir: “From Egypt to AUK—Ready to Make an Impact.”

AUK freshman Aiyham Mahir, a Computer Software and Security major, recently participated in the Youth Impact Studio (YIS) Bootcamp in El Gouna, Egypt—an inspiring initiative by PepsiCo Middle East, the PepsiCo Foundation, and Zigzag. Held from February 22 to 25, 2025, the program aimed to cultivate the next generation of sustainability leaders across the MENA region.

The bootcamp brought together 60 young changemakers from Lebanon, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Iraq, and Egypt, united by a shared mission to promote sustainability, innovation, and impactful leadership.

Reflecting on the experience, Aiyham said:

I am thrilled to share my incredible journey as a proud student of The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) at the Youth Impact Studio (YIS) Bootcamp. Representing AUK at such a prestigious event was truly an honor. The education and values I’ve gained at AUK played a key role in shaping my skills and preparing me for this experience.

Over the course of three days, Aiyham and his peers engaged in hands-on workshops, expert-led sessions, and collaborative problem-solving focused on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies and sustainable leadership models.

I’m especially grateful to our amazing mentors and trainers for making this journey so meaningful. I’m also proud to have been selected as one of 12 participants for the ‘Sustainable Capitalism in Practice’ course at the University of California, Berkeley—a milestone that will further deepen my knowledge and impact on sustainability.

He concluded:

This experience has strengthened my passion for making a difference. I look forward to applying what I’ve learned to support a more sustainable and innovative future—while continuing to make AUK proud.