Jerash, Jordan, May 18, 2026 – University Press Office |

Following the success of the “International Conference on the Role of Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (ICRU-SDGs),” held on September 23–24, 2025, Jerash University, in collaboration with the University of Duhok (UOD), hosted the landmark Second Joint International Conference.

The two-day international conference, titled “The Role of Universities in Shaping the Future: The Integration of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Confronting the Challenges of the Third Millennium,” held from 12 to 13 May, 2026, brought together an elite group of scientists, researchers, and academic leaders from across the Arab world and beyond to address the profound cultural, technological, and ethical transformations of the modern era, representing more than 12 countries.

The high-profile opening ceremony was attended by the Governor of Jerash, Dr. Malek Khraisat; the Jordanian Consul in Erbil, Ziad Batarseh; the President of Jerash University, Dr. Mohammad Ali Suwailem Al-Khalayleh; the Conference Chairman and Vice President at Jerash University, Dr. Ahmed Al-Hawamde; the Vice President of the University of Duhok for Scientific Affairs and Postgraduate Studies, Asst. Dr. Lukman Hadi Hassan; Conference Chair and the Dean of the College of City and Regional Planning, Dr. Layla Mohammed Raswol, alongside university board chairs, deans, and international delegates.

A Vision for Third-Millennium Higher Education

In his opening address, the President of Jerash University, Dr. Mohammad Al-Khalaileh, welcomed the international delegation and emphasized that modern academic institutions represent the definitive cornerstone of the global knowledge industry. He noted that the conference serves as a testament to the power of cross-border academic openness in achieving sustainable community development.

Representing the University of Duhok, Vice President, Dr. Lukman Hadi Hassan highlighted that science operates as a universal language connecting cross-border institutions to build a common future.

"The role of university has evolved far beyond traditional instruction. Today, higher education serves as a critical engine for societal change, stability, and ethical advancement amid rapid technological disruptions."

Dr. Lukman further elaborated on the University of Duhok’s historic journey since its founding in 1992, showcasing UOD’s commitment to aligning research with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He highlighted UOD's leading research initiatives in peace and conflict resolution, humanitarian responses to refugee crises, gender equality, and the institutional deployment of specialized digital humanities platforms.

Rigorous Academic Arbitrations and Core Themes

The Conference Chairman and Vice President for Humanities at Jerash University, Dr. Ahmed Al-Hawamdeh, expressed immense pride in the event's expansive Arab and international dimensions.

• Total Submissions: 210 scientific research papers.
• Accepted Papers: 145 papers cleared a rigorous, two-stage scientific peer-review process.
• Global Outreach: Contributions spanned from academics representing more than 12 countries.

The conference organized its presentations across nine intensive working sessions over two days, exploring themes such as generative artificial intelligence, academic diplomacy, international higher education partnerships, socio-cultural values in the digital revolution, and the intersection of applied and human sciences.

The official University of Duhok delegation at the conference was also represented by the Director of the Quality Assurance Directorate at the UOD, Dr. Shaheen Abdullah Abdulkareem, and the academic member from the College of City and Regional Planning, Dr. Jowan Bayez Khorsheed.

From the University of Duhok, three prominent researchers delivered specialized presentations addressing critical legal, social, and urban challenges:

• Dr. Iman Yousif Nori, from the College of Law: Presented on "Assisting Vulnerable Groups in Accessing Justice Through Legislation and Legal Clinics"
• Dr. Kawthar Mohammed Ali Jabara, from the College of Fine Arts: Discussed "The Reality of Interdisciplinary Research and Studies in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq"
• Dr. Jowan Bayez Khorsheed: Delivered a scientific paper titled "Volumetric Urbanism Potential: A GIS-Based Comparative Study."

High-Level Intellectual Dialogues

Beyond parallel research tracks, the conference served as a forum for high-level intellectual symposiums:

• Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property Rights: this pivotal panel featured the creative boundaries of machine learning. The session charted legal frameworks balancing human ingenuity with automated production.
• The Arab Thought Forum Session: A specialized dialogue centered on fostering critical thinking and utilizing interdisciplinary approaches to resolve development and identity crises in the region.
• The Jordanian Narrative Seminar: This assembly explored the trajectory of state-building, national identity, and the duty of academic institutions in preserving historical consciousness.

The conference featured important themes, including:

• Higher Education in an Era of Global Transformations
• The Humanities, Social Sciences, and Educational Sciences in Shaping the Human Being and Society
• Scientific Innovation in Service of the Future
• Humanistic Visions for a More Just and Inclusive World
• Integration Between the Sciences and the Humanities
• Research, Innovation, and Community Development
• Universities and Global Transformations
• Education, Social Justice, and Humanity
• Artificial Intelligence, the Social Sciences, and the Humanities
• International Partnerships and Academic Diplomacy

Conclusive Frameworks and Recommendations

The conference concluded its proceedings with an official exchange of commemorative shields between the leadership of Jerash University and the University of Duhok, followed by the reading of the final strategic recommendations by Professor Dr. Fouad Abdel-Mottaleb.

The key joint recommendations included:

1. Curriculum Modernization: Overhauling university-level degree plans to actively bridge the gap between technical competencies and humanistic, ethical frameworks.
2. Interdisciplinary Research Support: Creating dedicated institutional funding pipelines for research crossing the boundaries of technology, sociology, and economics.
3. Responsible Digital Shifts: Implementing comprehensive digital transformations across universities while embedding structural safeguards for artificial intelligence ethics.
4. Labor Market Alignment: Enhancing regional academic mobility, student exchanges, and building robust training coalitions with the private sector to equip the next generation with entrepreneurial and digital communication skill sets.

Alignment with UOD’s Strategic Vision

This international conference directly supports the University of Duhok’s Strategic Plan (2023–2038), particularly the pillars of:

• International academic cooperation and global engagement.
• Strategic partnerships to address local challenges with global solutions.

University Press Office – May 18, 2026

Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali, Aland Kamal Othman

Photography: Jerash University Public Relations Department, Jowan Bayez Khorsheed

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• Jerash University
• International Conference
• Humanities And Technology
• Global Partnerships
• Research Excellence