UOD, May 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO)

In line with its strategic vision to strengthen academic excellence, scientific research, digital transformation, and community engagement, the Council of the University of Duhok (UOD) held two major meetings during May 2026, discussing a range of strategic academic, research, and institutional development initiatives aimed at enhancing the university’s regional and international standing.

First Meeting – May 6, 2026

UOD Council Approves Duhok Governorate Atlas Project and Academic Development Initiatives

The University Council held its ninth regular session for the 2025–2026 academic year under the supervision of Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, President of the University of Duhok, with the participation of council members and academic leadership.

One of the most significant outcomes of the meeting was the approval of the Duhok Governorate Atlas Project, proposed by the Department of Geography. The project aims to establish a comprehensive scientific and geographic reference containing detailed spatial and demographic data to support:

• Government institutions
• Urban and regional planning
• Development projects
• Researchers and policymakers
• Community services and sustainable development planning

The initiative reflects UOD’s growing role as a strategic research center serving the Kurdistan Region through data-driven planning and applied scientific research.

Development of Academic Programs and GIS Integration

As part of efforts to modernize academic programs and align them with labor market needs and technological advancements, the Council approved changing the name of the Department of Geography in the College of Humanities to the Department of Applied Geography and Geographic Information Systems (GIS).

The decision supports UOD’s commitment to:

• Advanced digital and spatial technologies
• Applied scientific education
• Research-based learning
• Enhancing graduate employability and technical competencies

Student Support and Academic Flexibility

The Council additionally approved several student-centered initiatives, including:

• Organizing recreational and educational student trips in coordination with the Kurdistan Students Union
• Extending the Bologna Process course registration period from May 10 to May 19 to provide students with greater administrative flexibility and support

Second Meeting – May 11, 2026

UOD Council Discusses Scientific Research Strategies and Digital Transformation Projects

On May 11, 2026, the University Council held an extraordinary meeting supervised by Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, President of UOD, with the online participation of Dr. Amir Chali, Undersecretary of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, alongside university council members and academic representatives.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Dawood emphasized the importance of implementing a clear institutional strategy in which scientific research serves as a driver for solving societal challenges and advancing scientific development across the region.

Enhancing International Research Visibility

During the meeting:

• Dr. Hoshyar Azo Najeeb, Deputy Dean of Scientific Research Centers, presented a strategy for increasing international publications and research impact.
• Statistics showed that research productivity at UOD increased from 148 published papers in 2017 to 400 papers in 2024.
• It was also announced that 875 UOD teaching staff members have published research indexed in the global Scopus database, reflecting the university’s expanding international academic presence.

Research Lines and Publication Standards

The Council also discussed with the Dean of the Deanship of Scientific Research Center (DSRC), Dr. Sherzad Sabri Ali, the following:

• Updating university research lines according to market needs and modern scientific developments
• Enhancing interdisciplinary and applied research approaches
• Establishing unified formatting and visual identity standards for UOD publications based on international scientific guidelines such as APA style

Digital Transformation and AI Integration

In the field of digitalization The Director of Information Services (DOIS), Mr. Diler Ahmed Younis, reviewed plans to:

• Upgrade the university website and integrate college subdomains
• Modernize institutional email systems and academic profiles
• Prepare for launching advanced digital services, including:
  • UOD Digital ID
  • UOD AI Assistant

These initiatives reflect UOD’s strategic priorities in digital governance, AI integration, and smart university systems.

Strategic Alignment with UOD’s Vision

The initiatives discussed during both meetings collectively reinforce the University of Duhok’s priorities in:

• International research competitiveness
• Digital transformation and innovation
• Community-oriented scientific research
• Sustainable regional development
• Student-centered academic services
• Institutional modernization and global engagement

Through these strategic initiatives, the University of Duhok continues to strengthen its position as a leading academic and research institution committed to innovation, societal development, and academic excellence.

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University Press Office, May 13, 2026
Reported by: Ismat Mahmood Mohammed
Photography: Harman Jangeer Ahmed

The News Keywords:

• University of Duhok strategic projects
• UOD scientific research strategy
• Duhok Governorate Atlas project
• UOD digital transformation
• GIS and applied geography Kurdistan