Strategic
Plan 2021-2026
(Updated September 2022)
|
On August 17, 2022, AUK conducted its second
annual strategic planning retreat for
stakeholders representing all academic and
administrative units; this event included
students and alumni. The conversation was
wide-ranging, allowing attendees to
brainstorm on their vision for AUK in the
short-term and long-term. The attendees were
put into groups to review the 2021-2022
action priorities, and discuss which were to
be continued, deleted, or added and to
identify action priority and unit-level
tactics for the upcoming year. These inputs
served as the basis for the formulation of
AUK’s action priorities for 2022-2023. Units
will be meeting individually to develop
tactics as they contribute achieving the
University’s mission.
|
|
|
AUK`s
Building Information Modeling (BIM)
Lab
|
The American University of Kurdistan (AUK)
in collaboration with the University of
Florida established the Building Information
Modelling (BIM) Lab. Funded by the U.S.
State Department’s grant entitled “Support
to American-Style Higher Education in
Iraq,”, the BIM Lab helps the College of
Engineering students design, construct and
operate buildings and infrastructures by
using 3D-driven
technology.
Starting fall 2022, the University will
begin using its BIM Lab that includes two 4K
projectors, 3D goggles, and powerful
hardware/software to tackle complex design
projects, simulations, walk-ins, and live
rendering capabilities. The Lab will be used
by students in the Design Program and
Architectural Engineering Program.
Furthermore, it will serve as a bridge
between academic and industry as it will
also train professionals in the region.
Dean of
the College of Engineering, Dr. Razaq
Ferhadi writes:
“AUK established the first BIM Lab in Iraq
and the Kurdistan Region. Students are able
to generate and maintain digital
representations of actual functional spaces
using BIM. This lab will allow students to
more effectively integrate building plans
using advanced technical tools. This lab
assists architecture engineers and designers
in avoiding errors in construction and
conflicts between the engineering
disciplines involved in the construction,
allowing building owners to virtually walk
through their future structures and propose
modifications based on the 3D digital
representations provided”.
|
|
|
The
Center for Academic and Professional
Advancement (CAPA) Launches
CAPAx
|
On August 11, 2022, The Center for Academic
and Professional Advancement (CAPA) produced
its first CAPAx event where AUK students
introduced current issues of importance to
the campus community. The participating
students are enrolled in CAPA’s English
proficiency classes to help them prepare for
their academic courses. The event was staged
in the Mustafa Barzani Building's
Auditorium, and drew about 60 faculty and
staff members, students and parents. Such
initiatives aim to raise students' skills in
public speaking, creativity, confidence,
critical thinking, and leadership; nine
speeches spanning both local and global
concerns were delivered. A jury awarded best
presentation to Sada Salim Darwish and
Sereen Hadi Khudher for their talk on
“Unemployment”.
|
|
|
Victoria Hessin
Sophomore, College of
Nursing
Having spent the first 12 years of my life
in Denmark, I was absolutely thrilled to
find out my family was moving back to our
roots and beginning a new life in our
homeland: Kurdistan. I received my high
school diploma from an international school
in Erbil, to which I owe much of my
self-discipline.
I had
already made up my mind about wishing to
pursue a career in nursing.
|
|
|
|
Initially, I was looking to begin my studies
in this rewarding profession abroad;
however, I decided that it is important to
be a part of a greater cause - to help in
elevating the nursing profession in the
region. This is how my journey found its way
to AUK. Desperate to find a university that
went beyond just giving out BSN degrees, I
found AUK to have the same vision.
The reform of the nursing field is not going
to be a trouble-free task, but it is in not
unachievable. As a student within the first
nursing cohort at AUK, I am truly honored
that I get to be a part of the early stages
of this grand plan and make a difference for
Kurdistan.
|
|
|
Maysan El Ayoubi
Faculty, Design Department
Maysan El Ayoubi is a London College
University alumnus who earned a Master's
degree in Advertising. His research spans a
wide range of design issues; he mostly
focuses on the use of subliminal messages in
advertising and how design shapes consumer
behavior.
Maysan is
passionate about design and has more than 20
years of professional experience. He
has
|
|
|
|
participated on numerous
projects, including Creative Director,
Senior and Junior Art Director, Senior and
Junior Creative Designer, and teaching at
various universities in Lebanon.
According to Maysan:
“Being creative is not being different, but
thinking different”.
|
|
|
Shahrivan
Safaree Babakr
B.A. in
Oil and Gas Management
Graduated
May 2019
Shahrivan
Selki once had a dream of moving to the U.S.
in order to pursue her higher education, but
according to Shahrivan, the opening of AUK
in 2014, “instilled in me a strong passion
for learning”.
“The University, its staff, faculty,
administration, and the members of the Board
of Trustees worked incredibly hard to give
the students a safe learning environment, so
that
|
|
|
|
they could concentrate on their studies and
collaborate with the faculty and their
peers, especially during the challenging
circumstances of 2015.”
Amongst the top students in the Oil and Gas
Management Department and in the University,
Shahrivan was honored to be given the
Salutatorian Title, awarded twice by the
Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Region, His
Excellency Masrour Barzani. She has
contributed as a volunteer in national and
international organizations. “Volunteering
has always nurtured my spirit, and I was
awarded by the Prime Minister of Kurdistan
for my voluntary contributions”, quoted by
Shahrivan.
Upon
graduation in 2019, she became the
co-founder and executive manager of Zbara, a
voluntary organization aiming to serve the
community. The organization is active in
three main sectors: education, youth, and
environment. Further, Shahrivan has worked
in an oil and gas company as an Office
Service Coordinator.
“I have learned that with an unshakable
determination, one could achieve what one
naively thought to be impossible”
|
|
|
|
