A Strategic Commitment to Cultural Identity, Digital Transformation, and Linguistic Heritage

Duhok, February 23, 2025 – The University of Duhok (UOD), in collaboration with the Rwanga Foundation, marked 21st Feb, the International Mother Language Day with a powerful event dedicated to safeguarding and revitalizing the Kurdish language. Held under the theme “Speak with it, Write with it, Keep it Alive,” the symposium at UOD’s Conference Center (UNCC) brought together political leaders, linguistic experts, academics, and students in a collective effort to reinforce the importance of linguistic diversity, cultural heritage, and digital adaptation in language preservation.

A Gathering of Influential Leaders in Language and Culture

The event was graced by key dignitaries, reflecting the broad institutional and political support for Kurdish language preservation. Among the prominent attendees were:

• Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi – President of the University of Duhok
• Dr. Ali Tatar – Governor of Duhok
• Dr. Nawzad Abdullah – Head of the First Branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP)
• Shifa Barzani – Supervisor of the Kurdistan Refugee Confederation in the Diaspora
• Hassan Sheikh Alauddin – Executive Director of Rwanga Foundation

The presence of academic leaders, linguists, and policymakers highlighted the urgent need to safeguard the Kurdish language and ensure its evolution through education, research, and technological integration.

Preserving Kurdish: UOD’s Vision for the Future

Keynote Speech by UOD President

In his opening remarks, Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi reaffirmed UOD’s strategic commitment to language preservation, emphasizing:

• The Kurdish language has been safeguarded through resilience and sacrifice, and its survival is a shared responsibility for future generations.
• Language is a pillar of national identity, requiring active preservation through education, research, and digital initiatives.
• The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), including the President and Prime Minister, remains dedicated to protecting Kurdish and other ethnic languages.
• UOD is expanding its linguistic programs, introducing a Department of Syriac Language to reinforce multilingual education.
• The lack of Kurdish digital content in Artificial Intelligence (AI) databases presents a major challenge, one that must be addressed through academic collaboration and technological innovation.

“Without dedicated efforts to preserve our language, the rich cultural and historical identity of the Kurdish people could be at risk,” Dr. Atrushi emphasized.

Expert Panel Discussion: Challenges and Solutions in Language Preservation

Following the keynote address, Rwanga’s Director, Hikmat Mohammed Nuri, discussed the foundation’s role in cultural sustainability and linguistic development. The academic panel, titled “Protecting the Mother Tongue: Challenges and Solutions”, featured renowned linguists and scholars:

• Moderator: Dr. Zubaida Sayed Salih
• Dr. Huda Abdulqadir Qasim – Lecturer, UOD, College of Languages (CLAN), highlighting educational policies in linguistic development.
• Dr. Yakup Aykaç – Van Yüzüncü Yıl University, analyzing the status of Kurdish in Northern Kurdistan.
• Dr. Ezzedin Hussein Nasu – Professor, Beşikçi Center, discussing linguistic challenges in Western Kurdistan.
• Dr. Kajal Mohammed Feedakar – University of Kurdistan, Sanandaj, offering an academic assessment of Kurdish dialects in Eastern Kurdistan.

The panelists delved into policy gaps, research initiatives, and the need for digital transformation, offering solutions to ensure linguistic sustainability across Kurdish-speaking regions.

Cultural Celebrations: Music, Art, and Literature

The event also featured captivating Kurdish music performances, led by UOD and Rwanga Institute artists, celebrating the beauty and resilience of Kurdish cultural heritage. Attendees explored a cultural and industrial exhibition, showcasing:

🔹 Traditional Kurdish artifacts
🔹 Historical and contemporary Kurdish literature
🔹 Digital advancements in language preservation

These exhibits underscored the interconnection between language, identity, and artistic expression, reinforcing the importance of cultural continuity.

UOD’s Commitment to Language and Digital Evolution

As a testament to its dedication, UOD received an award from the Rwanga Foundation, recognizing its pioneering role in advancing Kurdish language education and digital transformation. This aligns with UOD’s broader strategic mission to:

• Integrate AI and digital tools into language learning.
• Expand research initiatives focused on Kurdish linguistic heritage.
• Advocate for Kurdish inclusion in AI-driven language models.

Through academic innovation and technological integration, UOD is ensuring that the Kurdish language thrives in both traditional and modern contexts.

A Unified Call to Action: Protecting Kurdish for Future Generations

International Mother Language Day at UOD was more than just a celebration—it was a call to action for policymakers, academics, and students to:

• Invest in digital content creation to secure Kurdish representation in AI technologies.
• Strengthen language education policies to promote multilingual fluency in academic institutions.
• Foster global collaboration to elevate Kurdish studies in international academic circles.

By bridging tradition with innovation, the University of Duhok continues to lead efforts in safeguarding Kurdish linguistic heritage, ensuring that future generations inherit a language that is alive, evolving, and globally recognized.

📸 Check out the full event highlights here: [Insert Link]

📍 UOD Media | February 23, 2025
📝 Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali
📸 Photography by: Mohammed Abdulkareem Tahir

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