ERBIL () - The American University of Kurdistan (AUK) celebrated a milestone graduation this week, sending 122 students into the workforce as the institution marks its 12th year of operation and lays out an ambitious expansion of its campus and academic programs.
Dr. Honar Issa, Chairman of AUK's Board of Trustees, spoke with reporter Sangar Akrayi about the ceremony and the university's trajectory, describing the graduation as a defining moment in the school's history.
"Today is a kind of a milestone with the history of the American University of Kurdistan,"Issa said. "We are graduating 122 students, out of which 117 are walking on the stage, and they celebrate the achievement that they've had for several years of experiencing a different life on campus at the university."
Families, graduates, dignitaries, business leaders, and government officials gathered for the ceremony, which Issa described as both a show of support and a celebration of years of hard work by the graduating class.
He said the university's approach centers on experiential, hands-on learning designed to prepare students for the job market, while also cultivating leadership, problem-solving, and professionalism among the wider student body: "What we've tried to do within the American University of Kurdistan, we've focused on experiential learning, which is basically hands-on experience, and those students who are graduating, they're equipped with the skills that they need in order to be in the job market."
AUK opened in 2014 with five academic programs and marked its 10th anniversary in 2024, a point Issa described as a turning point toward building a more institutionalized organization. The university now offers eight undergraduate programs across four colleges, alongside a master's program in artificial intelligence launched in response to market demand.
The College of Nursing houses the Department of Nursing, while the College of Engineering offers Petroleum Engineering, Electronic and Telecommunication Engineering, and Architectural Engineering. The College of Arts and Sciences includes Design, Computer Science and Security, and International Studies, and the College of Business offers its Business program.
Following the success of the AI master's program, Issa said AUK is working to introduce additional graduate programs, potentially as early as fall 2027.
Looking ahead, Issa said the university is conducting feasibility studies to ensure new programs align with market needs, even as it expands its physical campus. AUK recently completed a men's residence hall that earned LEED Gold certification, a sustainability milestone Issa highlighted as reflecting the university's environmental commitments.
Construction is now underway on a new sports facility, and Issa said AUK plans to soon expand its College of Engineering, with hopes of eventually adding a College of Medicine.
"We try to respond to the emerging needs of our communities and something that would support the economy of the region and support the job market,"Issa said.
