Students from the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) in Duhok graduated in a ceremony attended by Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) leader and former Kurdistan Region President Masoud Barzani, current President Nechirvan Barzani, Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, Speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi, as well as several diplomats and local officials.
During the ceremony, President Barzani urged students “to not rely only on working in the public sector,” saying “just as you have proven yourself in education, you can prove yourself in creating job opportunities and innovation.”
“For this, you must cooperate with the market and the private sector and the government must support you and the government will do that,” President Barzani said, praising the university for having provided an excellent background for the graduates to discover their careers with.
PM Barzani also assured graduates, particularly entrepreneurs, that his government will provide necessary services for their work careers.
“My government encourages you, and I would like you to know that project grants and loans will soon be available. The process will be competitive, as it should be, but it encourages risk-takers and those who dare to dream,” the Region’s prime minister said.
“Together, we will help transform Kurdistan into a place where ambition is made,” PM Barzani added.
There are two American universities in the Kurdistan Region: the American University of Iraq – Sulaimani (AUIS) and AUK. They were established in 2007 and 2014, respectively. Baghdad also launched its American University of Iraq – Baghdad (AUIB) in 2021.
Speaking at the ceremony, Acting US Consul General Zehra Bell delivered inspiring remarks to the graduates after sharing her story through academia and reiterated the United States’ enduring commitment to the Kurdistan Region.
“The United States of America is deeply proud of our historic partnership with the Kurdistan Region of Iraq,” she said.
“Today’s graduation is the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and experience, it marks a true milestone in your life,” Bell added, particularly urging female graduates to refrain from allowing doubters to hinder them from progressing in their careers.
Randall Rhodes, the president of AUK, reminded the graduating class that their success is owed to the “continuous sacrifices” of their family members and called on them to use their degrees wisely.
“I do hope that you have the creativity and innovative mindset to navigate around the obstacles and challenges and reach the other side,” Rhodes said. “Taking risks requires courage, it requires a voice. When one finds that voice, the world will be anew.”
AUK is located in Duhok city and was founded by PM Barzani. It describes itself as a non-profit institution for higher education. It offers various degrees in the colleges of arts and science, business, engineering, and nursing inside a state-of-the-art campus.
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