UOD – June 9, 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) – In an impactful step toward fostering environmental protection and advancing climate-resilient urban practices, the University of Duhok (UOD) celebrated World Environment Day on Monday, June 8, 2026. Hosted by the College of City and Regional Planning, the event showcased the university’s deepening institutional commitment to green infrastructure and sustainable academic practices through the unveiling of extensive student-led design exhibitions, research posters, and comprehensive eco-friendly interventions and initiatives. The event was attended by a high-level delegation, including the University Vice President for Students Affairs, Dr. Nabaz Ibraheem Mohammed, UOD college deans, governmental directorates in Duhok governorate, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and environmental protection bodies, alongside college academic members and students.

The World Environment Day is celebrated annually on June 5 and encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. It is supported by many non-governmental organizations, businesses, government entities, and represents the primary United Nations outreach day supporting the environment.

A major highlight of the celebration was the active resource conservation, emphasizing the reduction of material usage and the reuse of design models and materials to completely prevent waste.

Core Activities of the Event

• Large poster showcasing the current global and local urban challenges affecting cities and projections of their severity towards the year 2050. Along with that, the proposal of green practices that can tackle them and shift cities towards resilient green cities.
• Exhibition of student and staff research that focuses on environmental protection and sustainability, public transportation, integrated waste management, and resilient urban practices.
• Implementing practical waste reduction mechanisms, including the installment of water coolers and raising awareness to use reusable water bottles to completely stop the usage of single-use plastics.
• The students participated in various environmental protection campaigns which were displayed in videos showcasing their commitment to protecting and restoring the beautiful nature of Kurdistan region. This concretes the environmental protection notion that exists within the study curriculums of both the Department of Spatial Planning and the Department of City Planning.

Alignment with UOD’s Strategic Vision

This extensive environmental and academic initiative directly materializes the University of Duhok’s Strategic Plan (2023–2038), specifically advancing the pillars of:

• Sustainable Regional Development: Fulfilling UOD's mandate to act as a strategic research center providing data-driven solutions for local environmental and spatial challenges.
• Student Success & Market Readiness: Equipping graduates with the highly specialized GIS, spatial modeling, and resource-management competencies demanded by international organizations and modern green industries.
• Institutional Excellence & Green Campus Policies: Pioneering sustainable operational standards that lower carbon footprints and optimize institutional efficiency.

University Press Office – June 9, 2026

Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali, Aland Kamal Othman

Photography: Ali Habib Habib

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

The News Keywords:

• World Environment Day
• Sustainable Development
• Urban Resilience
• Planning in Kurdistan
• Climate Change
• UOD CCRP