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University of Duhok Wins at Start Cup 2025 with Groundbreaking Energy-Saving Façade

July 16, 2025, 8:04 a.m.

Duhok, July 15, 2025 | University Press Office (UNPO) — The University of Duhok (UOD) proudly celebrates the victory of its student team at the 6th edition of the Start Cup Competition 2025, held on July 9-10, 2025, during the UNIMED General Assembly at the University of Calabria, Italy.

Their winning project, V.K.F Panel (Kinetic Façade System), offers an innovative response to the challenges of hot climates. It integrates solar technology, dynamic shading, and a water-cooling mechanism to reduce indoor temperatures and promote sustainable energy use in architecture.

Key Features of the V.K.F Panel:

  • Solar panels for sustainable energy generation

  • Movable shading elements to minimize heat gain

  • Water-based cooling system to control indoor temperature

The proposal offers a system designed to reduce energy consumption by more than 30% and lower indoor temperatures by 8–10°C, making it ideal for implementation in Iraq and the wider MENA region.

Student Innovators:

  • Kawdan Mohammed Ali

  • Sahand Shakir Ismael

Supervisory Team:

In an official session, Dr. Nabaz Ibraheem Mohammed, Vice President for Student Affairs, welcomed the supervisor and students and congratulated them on their significant achievement.

This accomplishment reflects the University of Duhok’s strategic commitment to innovation, sustainability, and global engagement, as outlined in its Strategic Plan 2023–2038. It also showcases the creative potential of UOD students on an international stage.

UOD expresses sincere gratitude to UNIMED – Mediterranean Universities Union and the University of Calabria for organizing the competition and offering a platform to highlight youth-led solutions to real-world challenges.

For Photo Highlights Click Here

University Press Office, July 15, 2025

Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali

The News Keywords:

  • University of Duhok Start Cup 2025
  • V.K.F Panel innovation
  • Iraqi student entrepreneurs
  • UNIMED General Assembly
  • Sustainable architecture Iraq