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Department of Design: Field Trips and Publications
During February, the Design Department organized two educational trips for its students. These visits complement the studio-based courses and aim to promote students’ knowledge of industrial work methods through an extensive exposure to projects in the field.
The first trip, to a major residential complex in Duhok, enabled students to observe and analyze the construction phases of a major building project, and to collect data on structural elements, types of properties, environmental aspects, and safety in the workplace. The second trip to two international-brand hotels in Erbil, enabled students to examine and discuss key elements of international standards in hotel design.
Dr. Mustafa Amen, Chair of the Design Department at AUK’s College of Arts and Science recently published a research paper on the “The Assessment of Cities Physical Complexity through Urban Energy Consumption” in the Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, modeling a technique for estimating physical complexity based on the built environment in an urban region. Dr. Mustafa Amen also co-published a research paper on “The Effect of Cognitive Semiotics on The Interpretation of Urban Space Configuration” in the Journal of Contemporary Urban Affairs, focused on the identification of semiotic
elements that have a role in space configuration. Meanwhile, under the U.S. Department of State’s Grant to AUK, the Design Department’s collaboration with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) continues; AUK's capstone students benefit from direct supervision by MTSU faculty.
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Women Leadership Training
AUK's Center for Academic and Professional Advancement (CAPA) hosted a two-day workshop on Women Leadership Training in the education sector entitled "The Curious Case of Educational Leadership" on the 20th and 21st of February.
The training was a one-of-a-kind event that combined leadership theories and styles through women's leadership prism, enabling an engaging learning and sharing platform for 15 educational leaders. The participants were headteachers, supervisors, and trainers from the General Directorate of Education in Duhok. The workshop was made possible with GIZ and FWE in a joint partnership with AUK CAPA. The participants shared that the workshop created a positive, empowering, engaging, and open environment for learning, self-reflection, and development, especially in educational leadership and women leaders. They were able to practice and sharpen skills of effective leadership and academic women leaders that create such followers that are empowered to grow and become leaders themselves.
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AUK and Wayne State University: 2+2 Degree Program
The College of Engineering at AUK proudly announces the start of admissions to the collaborative degree program with Wayne State University (WSU) in Detroit, Michigan, USA. This 2+2 bachelor’s program will have selected students complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree in Engineering at AUK, and then if they meet WSU’s admission standards, complete their Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree at WSU. The goal is to provide degree program options that are not available at AUK, specifically Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering.
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New Laboratories at AUK for Students and Teachers
The College of Engineering at AUK is in the process of establishing a Building Information Modeling (BIM) Lab, under the guidance and direction of the University of Florida, funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Grant to AUK. Equipped with HoloLens and Oculus Virtual Reality Devices, this lab is for students and instructors of both the Architectural Engineering and Design Programs. The BIM Lab fuses architectural/design knowledge with technological processes. The lab is also available for commercial use by engineering firms and architectural contractors in Duhok and the region, hopefully generating revenues for AUK.
The University of Florida is also supporting the College of Engineering in setting-up a Fabrication Lab, where students can make (just about) anything using 3D printers, laser/vinyl cutters, milling machines, and CNC machinery.
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Cultures and Languages of People in Kurdistan
The Multiculturalism Committee of AUK’s Student Government organized an informative lecture entitled Who are the Yezidi people, and why are they called 'the original Kurds'? Featuring two speakers, AUK alumni Mr. Herish Basy and renowned historian/sociologist Mr. Guhdar Ali, the lecture gave insights into Kurdish Yezidi history and culture.
On February 21, AUK celebrated International Mother Language Day. Students commemorated this day by wishing everyone a happy Mother Language Day in their native languages.
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Capstone Projects: Department of Computer Software
As part of their capstone projects within the Bachelor’s in Computer Software and Security, AUK’s students developed two mobile applications that have received acclaim.
The first application, developed by Lozin Oraha, is entitled MyHealth and is designed to ensure that users take their medication on time. For people who
take multiple pills throughout the day, this application makes it simple and easy to upload details and reminders on numerous medications. The application sounds an alarm indicating which medication to take. The application can also be used for the self-designing of nutrition plans. The second application, developed by Safa Ameen, is a job finders’ application, where employers can post openings and job seekers can browse and apply for vacancies as well as upload their CVs for review by recruiters. The application allows for advanced search functionality.
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Meet Our Alumni
Hizreen Safaree Babakr
B.Sc. Computer Software and Security Graduated in 2020
Before attending AUK in 2015, Hizreen was always curious to know how software and mobile technologies worked. She was eager to develop and create her own applications and find innovative solutions for complex issues. “I believed that the understanding of information technology can help me to enrich my knowledge and make my dreams come true”. Starting her journey as a work-study student at the ICT Office at AUK was a major opportunity that opened up a fruitful professional path.
During her third year at AUK, Hizreen interned at Korek Telecom and DataCode, both ICT companies. This offered her the chance to put what she learned into action in a real-world environment. “The knowledge and skills that I got from the program helped me to develop an e-commerce mobile application for my capstone project that was nominated as one of the best projects”.
After graduating, Hizreen moved back to Erbil, where she currently lives. Only ten days after graduating from AUK, she started working at Awrosoft ICT Solutions, an Erbil-based provider of customized software development solutions and front-end mobile application developers. “I utilize the same programming language for my career that I used to utilize at AUK”. Hizreen has also developed mobile applications on Kurdish history that are available on both App Store and Google Play. Her long-term objective is to ‘go it solo’ and set up her own IT solutions firm.
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Meet Our Faculty
Dr. Sarmad Majeed
College of Arts and Science
Department of International Studies
Besides his primary responsibility as AUK Legal Counsel, Dr. Sarmad teaches International Systems & Global Governance and Conflict and Sustainability within AUK’s International Studies Department. With two doctoral degrees in law from the U.S., Dr. Sarmad specializes in Human Rights and Business Law, with professional experience gained at Kansas University and the Missouri Commission on Human Rights.
What made you study law?
Law is relevant in so many ways to our everyday lives. Law applies to all our daily transactions, from buying a morning coffee to negotiating a pay rise with our employer, and so on. Studying law allowed me to sharpen my mind and deepen my understanding and experience across the full range of humanities and social sciences. Also, with a law degree, one is equipped for almost any profession that requires intellect combined with a practical approach.
What made you join AUK?
I must say that it is an excellent career opportunity to serve as AUK’s Legal Counsel, as I find myself zealously and passionately advocating different legal matters reflecting the pressure points, strategies and objectives of AUK. It is the most prestigious and professional American-style institution in the region, and an ideal environment for me to apply my education to my work.
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