The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) is proudly launching its first annual Giving Day on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The AUK is committed to contributing to the community it serves, by graduating future leaders who can help the region prosper. Providing young learners with high-quality education and learning facilities is AUK’s main goal. The AUK Giving Day shall have numerous on-campus as well as a few off-campus activities organized over a week involving students, alumni, staff, faculty, and friends of AUK, to celebrate the spirit of giving and encourage generosity to AUK, highlights achievements, and lay support for the future.
The AUK Giving Day will be within the same month as the Newroz holiday in March, which is a special occasion for the region, a sacred holiday that marks the historical gain of freedom of the Kurdish people dating back to 772 B.C. from the folk story of Kawa’s fight for freedom. The Newroz holiday symbolizes the endurance of the nation in the face of oppression and struggle. Now, families and friends celebrate the holiday together; the week is filled with positive emotions and joy that has been the result of the endless effort and dedication of Mala Mustafa Barzani who founded the modern Kurdish resistance movement. The AUK Giving Day will become a celebration that fosters the spirit of solidarity between all members of the community in their singular quest for freedom and peace.
The 2023 AUK Giving Day will focus on supporting the University’s pledge to ensure that no deserving student is denied admission and no graduate goes into the professional world unprepared. Considering this goal of ensuring a “new life” for those students entering and graduating from AUK, Giving Day naturally belongs in March. Renewal is in the air, patriotism is in the hearts of the Kurdish people, and Newroz festivities abound. The time will be right to celebrate an event that will bring the community closer together in a common cause to improve the lives and educational opportunities of the AUK community.