Dr. Dawood Atrushi

Dr. Dawood Atrushi is an esteemed civil engineer and academic currently serving as President of the University of Duhok (UoD) in Iraq. Born in 1965 in the town of Atrush, he obtained a combined bachelor’s and Master’s degree in civil engineering from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in 1992. He later earned his doctorate in the same field from NTNU in 2003, where he engaged in research and teaching.

After spending 17 years in Norway, Dr. Atrushi returned to Iraq in 2004 and became a professor at UoD. Over the years, he assumed various administrative roles, including Vice President for International Relations at the University and Director General at the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHE) in Erbil. As UoD’s President since 2021, he significantly improved teaching, learning, and community services, achieving a remarkable 35 percent increase in enrollment and implementing the university-wide Bologna System.

Dr. Atrushi is an esteemed member of professional organizations such as the Iraqi Society of Engineers and the American Concrete Institute. He has authored numerous papers and is a frequent speaker at international conferences on civil engineering and higher education. A strong advocate for educational reform in Kurdistan, he led committees at the MoHE, evaluating higher education institutions.

As a role model for young Kurds, Dr. Atrushi’s achievements transcend borders, proving that dedication and determination can overcome challenges even in conflict-ridden regions. His influence extends globally, inspiring others to pursue careers in engineering and academia.