University Advances Its Commitment to Sustainable Development and Community Engagement

UOD, July 15, 2025 | University Press Office (UNPO) – The University of Duhok (UOD) successfully hosted the Third Mission and Social Impact Symposium 2025 under the theme "Together Towards a Sustainable Society,", on July 10, bringing together university leaders, government officials, UN agencies, NGOs, and academic experts to discuss the role of higher education in advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The event was held at the UOD Convention Center, with a packed agenda of keynote speeches, expert presentations, poster exhibitions, and networking. The symposium reaffirmed UOD’s strategic focus on aligning its educational mission with community impact, environmental responsibility, and inclusive development.

Symposium Highlights

🔹 President of UOD, Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, opened the symposium by affirming the university’s commitment to serving society through innovation and outreach.

“We strive to go beyond education and research to serve our community,” he said.
He highlighted several pioneering initiatives, including:

• The establishment of an Agricultural Extension Unit in Amedi,
  
  
• A new project to digitize Kurdish (Bahdini) script in Arabic for AI integration and develop a Kurdish language writing guide,
  
  
• And the creation of a Botanical Garden for academic, student, and public benefit.
  
  

🔹 Dr. Mohammed Hussein, representative of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, emphasized quality assurance as a vehicle for community service in higher education.

He discussed the importance of integrating higher education institutions with civil society, NGOs, and the private sector in tackling key areas such as gender equality, climate change, and the development of green communities.

🔹 Following a short video introducing UOD’s SDG-related activities, Dr. Bakhtiyar Ahmed from the Directorate General of Health in Duhok linked the university's partnerships with health institutions to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.

🔹 Mr. Bakhtiyar Hussein, representing UNICEF, spoke about life skills training and highlighted the university's essential role in youth development.

“We see universities as spaces for active communication with society,” he said.

🔹 Mrs. Lily Carlisle of UNHCR shared insights into the organization’s SDG monitoring indicators in Iraq and reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to inclusion and partnership.

“Our work is aligned with the SDG principle of leaving no one behind,” she noted.

🔹 Mrs. Vian Ahmed, representing the local NGO The Lotus Flower, spoke about their work in peace, health, mental health, gender equality, and climate action.

She urged NGOs to identify which specific SDGs align with their missions to enhance coordination and impact measurement.

UOD Academic Contributions to the SDGs

The second part of the symposium spotlighted the University of Duhok’s internal efforts toward community-based sustainable development through presentations from four academic leaders:

• Dr. Ary Habeeb Mohammed outlined direct community services offered by UOD’s medical colleges, including dental clinics, school seminars on adolescent health and addiction, and pharmaceutical consultations.
  
  
• Dr. Lokman Hadi Hassan, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Postgraduate Studies, emphasized the university’s role in lifelong learning, inclusive education, and equal learning opportunities, stressing that UOD remains committed to elevating education quality in the Kurdistan Region.
  
  
• Dr. Shireen Younus, from the College of City and Regional Planning, addressed climate change and urban development (SDGs 11 and 13). She noted the college’s work on climate education, sustainable housing, disaster resilience, and transport systems planning.
  
  
• Dr. Alan Bahaa, from the College of Humanities, discussed UOD’s peacebuilding efforts, including the establishment of Iraq’s first Department of Peace and Human Rights Studies in 2016, the Center for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies (2001), and postgraduate programs in partnership with the UN University for Peace in Costa Rica.
  
  

Poster Exhibition and Closing

The symposium also featured a poster exhibition showcasing research projects aligned with various SDGs, including master’s and doctoral theses. Attendees engaged in networking during the coffee break, fostering discussions and potential collaborations across sectors.

The symposium concluded with a collective call for sustained cooperation between academia, international agencies, and civil society, positioning UOD as a regional leader in higher education’s third mission—community service and sustainable development.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

University Press Office, July 15, 2025

Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali

Photography by:

• Mohammed. A. Tahar
• Harman Jangeer Ahmed

The News Keywords:

• University of Duhok
• Sustainable Development Goals
• Community Engagement in Higher Education
• SDG Symposium Iraq
• Third Mission Universities