UOD, September 23, 2025 – University Press Office | The University of Duhok (UOD), through its College of City and Regional Planning (CCRP), inaugurated the International Conference on the Role of Universities in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals (ICRU-SDGs) at its Convention Center. Held under the theme “Advancing the SDGs through Education, Research, and Innovation,” the two-day event (23–24 September) gathered leading academics, researchers, and policymakers from nearly 20 countries.

The opening ceremony was attended by Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, President of the University of Duhok, alongside the Chair of the Conference and Dean of the College of City and Regional Planning, Dr. Layla Mohammed Raswol, Co-Chair of the Conference, Prof. Dr. Ahmed Al-Hawamdeh, Vice President of Jerash University, representatives from Jerash University and the Jordanian Academicians Society, as well as distinguished keynote speakers and honored guests.

In his remarks, Dr. Atrushi emphasized that universities must serve as engines of progress, playing a central role in generating knowledge and fostering partnerships that address today’s sustainability challenges.

Throughout the conference, a series of keynote addresses enriched the program:

• Day 1 Keynote Speakers: Prof. Dr. Heike Wendt (University of Graz, Austria), Prof. Dr. Anka Hagemann (Technical University of Berlin, Germany), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Maan Chibli (Bahçeşehir University, Turkey).
  
  
• Day 2 Keynote Speakers: Dr. Johannes Lückenkötter (Technical University of Dortmund, Germany) and Dr. Ahmad A. Ghani (Komar University of Science and Technology, Iraq).
  
  

The sessions explored the role of education, research, innovation, and policy in advancing the SDGs. The conference also provided a platform for presenting cutting-edge research, strengthening international collaborations, and offering publication opportunities in peer-reviewed and Scopus-indexed journals.

The closing ceremony featured a panel of recommendations and the presentation of conference outcomes, followed by the official award ceremony. The three top-placed postgraduate poster projects and the first-place undergraduate poster project were recognized for their outstanding contributions to sustainable development research.

Key Recommendations for Advancing Sustainability in Higher Education

• Integrating knowledge management into higher education is vital to align university policies with job market demands and promote a culture of sustainability among students.
  
  
• In the Kurdistan Region, exploring the social dimensions of education can strengthen the connection between academic learning and community development.
  
  
• Applying the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) effectively within higher education institutions will position universities as key contributors to social, economic, and environmental progress.
  
  

Supported by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (KRG) and global partners including TU Berlin, University of Graz, and VNG International, the event positions the University of Duhok as a regional hub for advancing sustainable development through higher education.

By hosting this conference, the University of Duhok reaffirms its commitment to advancing sustainability through education, research, and community engagement, while serving as a platform for regional and international dialogue on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

University Press Office, September 23, 2025
Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali
Photography: Mohammed A. Tahar, Ali Habib Habib, Harman Jangeer Ahmed