Multi-Cultural Week at AUK

Duhok, Kurdistan Region – October 13, 2022. The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) organized a number of activities from October 10 to 13, to advance multicultural awareness and ensure that AUK employees and students are dedicated to the values of non-discrimination and inclusivity.

AUK employees and students were invited to part take in a variety of activities over the course of four days:

Day 1: AUK’s international faculty members, Dr. Jervy Berardino, Ms. Kaye Ervin, and Dr. Agwu Okechukwu presented their home cultures (respectively the Philippines, Australia, and Nigeria) to an audience of staff and students.

Day 2: An outdoor festival featuring local handicrafts, food and music highlighting Middle Eastern culture took place in the back gardens of AUK.

The activities of Day 2 were covered by WAAR TV, which included interviews with the University President, faculty members, and representatives of the Student Government. These interviews highlighted the rich and diverse culture of Kurdistan and the chance to expose young people to other cultures.

Day 3: The screening of a movie ‘What’s Cooking’ focused on the comparison and contrast of different cultures.

Day 4: A panel discussion of diasporan staff (Ms. Ajin Saadi Zawity, Ms. Suzanne Alsoufi, Mr. Halmat Kestai, and Mr. Sheenwar Siti) who returned to Kurdistan to live and work.

As the culmination of the week’s activities, a Kurdish Dilan was held in front of the Mustafa Barzani Building.

Zana Salah, the Executive Assistant at the President’s Office and co-organizer of Multi-Cultural Week stated: “Celebrating multiculturalism week and appreciating the way diversity enriches AUK fosters a better community as it enables staff and students to understand and appreciate the history, life experiences and beliefs of diverse groups of people”.

Aram Omar, the President of the Student Government, and co-organizer of the Multi-Cultural Week stated: “Cultural festivities promote tolerance and appreciation for various cultures. Celebrating both our diversity and our mutual interests serves to unify, enlighten, and educate us. Understanding other people’s viewpoints, broadening our own, and completely experiencing and educating oneself is extremely beneficial for personal growth”.