ERBIL () — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani on Thursday called on graduates of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) to take leadership, uphold ethical values and contribute to the future development of the Kurdistan Region.
Prime Minister Masrour Barzani made the remarks during AUK’s graduation ceremony for the Class of 2026 in Duhok, where 122 students graduated and 117 walked across the stage.
Addressing the graduates, Prime Minister Barzani highlighted the diversity of the class, with students coming from different parts of Iraq, the Kurdistan Region and beyond.
“You are graduating into a moment that matters,” Barzani said, referring to ongoing instability and challenges in the Middle East.
He said the Kurdistan Region had remained resilient while working with its partners to address political, security and economic challenges.
Barzani also highlighted the Region’s response to recent regional disruptions, including its contribution to Iraq’s oil exports during the Strait of Hormuz crisis and the provision of electricity to citizens outside the Kurdistan Region.
The prime minister said the Kurdistan Region had also faced more than 1,000 drone and missile attacks targeting its infrastructure and economy.
“Their goal was to stop Kurdistan in its tracks. They failed,” Barzani said, stressing that the Region had remained resilient and continued working with its partners.
He told the graduates that a strong the Kurdistan Region requires unity, describing partnership and power-sharing as principles that should continue to guide the Region.
Barzani, who also chairs AUK’s Board of Trustees, said the university had made significant progress since its establishment 12 years ago, including securing candidacy with a U.S. institutional accreditor and accreditation for its nursing program.
He said AUK’s next decade would focus on moving “from excellence to impact,” with the goal of strengthening the Region’s prosperity, institutions and communities.
“By 2035, our vision is simple and bold: AUK will be the first choice students turn to,” Barzani said.
He also highlighted AUK’s new Men’s Residence Hall, which he said was the first building in Iraq to receive LEED Gold certification for sustainable construction.
Barzani urged the graduates to maintain high ethical standards, contribute to their communities, and uphold democracy, justice and equality.
“Do not wait for permission to lead. Do not wait for someone else to fix what you can fix,” he said.
“You came here to learn what you are good at. You leave here to show the world what you are good for.”
