AUK Celebrates Newroz: Welcoming the Kurdish New Year 2725

On March 19, the AUK community gathered to light the Newroz torch, celebrating the Kurdish New Year 2725. Newroz, a traditional celebration of spring and renewal, is an ancient festival celebrated across the Middle East. It is characterized by colorful street festivals and torch-bearing processions. At AUK, students dressed in traditional Kurdish attire came together and watched as 18 students carried their torches to ignite the large flame in front of the Mustafa Barzani Building. The night continued with traditional Kurdish dances and fireworks.

AUK Community Stands in Remembrance of the Halabja Martyrs

On March 16, the AUK Community honored the martyrs of the Halabja chemical attack with a moment of silence in the front garden of the Mustafa Barzani Building. The event was organized by the Kurdistan Studies and Culture Club.

March 16 marks the anniversary of the Halabja chemical massacre—a tragic event that claimed the lives of over 5,000 innocent Kurdish civilians in 1988, including women, children, and the elderly; 10,000 were severely injured.

AUK Celebrates National Clothing Day

On March 10, the AUK Community came together to celebrate National Clothing Day, honoring the rich cultural heritage of Kurdistan. Faculty, staff, and students proudly wore their ethnic attire, showcasing the regional vibrant colors and intricate designs. The event was part of ongoing programming on Kurdistan’s diversity.

AUK Competes in Intra-University Soccer Tournament

On March 9, a University-to-University Soccer Tournament was held at Polytechnic Stadium, bringing together teams from various institutions, including the American University of Kurdistan, Nawroz University, Duhok Cihan University, and Duhok Polytechnic University.

AUK Expands Regional Engagement with Strategic Visit to Mosul

On February 26, the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) took a significant step toward fostering academic and institutional collaboration with key stakeholders across education, governance, and commerce in Mosul.

Freshman Aiyham Mahir: “From Egypt to AUK—Ready to Make an Impact.”

AUK freshman Aiyham Mahir, a Computer Science major, recently participated in the Youth Impact Studio (YIS) Bootcamp in El Gouna, Egypt—an inspiring initiative by PepsiCo Middle East, the PepsiCo Foundation, and Zigzag. Held from February 22 to 25, 2025, the program aimed to cultivate the next generation of sustainability leaders across the MENA region.

AUK Visits Detroit and Chicago’s Iraqi Populations

From March 29 to April 1, Dr. Randall Rhodes, President of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK), and Dr. Honar Issa, Secretary of the Board of Trustees of AUK, visited Detroit and Chicago with the aim of building a network of friends to support AUK. The trip included presentations to professional organizations and community groups supportive of the prosperity of the Iraqi population in Kurdistan and the Diaspora. Focus was placed on the Chaldean and Assyrian communities.