UoD, November 2, 2026 | University Press Office (UNPO) — The University of Duhok (UoD) marked the tenth anniversary of its Institute of Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP), celebrating a decade of specialised mental health care, professional education, research, and community outreach in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The anniversary highlighted the Institute’s development from a response to the psychological consequences of conflict and displacement into a centre for clinical services, postgraduate education, and international academic cooperation.

The ceremony featured speeches by representatives of the University of Duhok, the Kurdistan Region, and international partner institutions. Mr. Dilshad Shahab, Deputy to the President of the Kurdistan Region, delivered a message on behalf of the regional leadership. Following his address, attendees watched a documentary tracing IPP’s establishment, development, and impact over the past decade. The programme also featured a dramatic musical performance by the Duhok Band of Cultural Arts, adding a cultural dimension to the anniversary celebration.

A University Response to an Urgent Human Need

As highlighted in the President’s presentation, IPP emerged in response to the urgent need for specialised psychological support following the atrocities committed against the Yazidi community in 2014 and the widespread trauma caused by violence and displacement. The University of Duhok established the Institute and its master’s programme in 2017, building a sustainable academic and clinical response to these challenges.

The presentation acknowledged the contributions of Professor Jan Ilhan Kizilhan, Professor Mosleh Mohammed Saeed, former UoD President; Dr. Mamo Othman, former IPP Director; and Dr. Nizar Taha, former Director of Health in Duhok, to the establishment of the Institute. It also recognised the support of Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani and the Kurdistan Regional Government, including Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, alongside the contributions of local and international partners.

The anniversary programme further featured remarks by Mr. Majid Said Salih, Deputy Governor of Duhok, and Mr. Dilshad Shahab, as well as a video message from Mr. Florian Hasler representing the Ministry of State of Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Mrs. Julia Krohn, a manager at the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of institutional and international cooperation in supporting the Institute’s work.

In his presentation, Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan, Dean of IPP, reflected on the Institute’s history, achievements, and development over the past decade. He highlighted its pioneering role in psychotherapy education, noting that IPP was the first licensed institution of its kind in the Middle East to educate psychotherapists.

Following the speeches, certificates of appreciation were presented to partner and supporting institutions and individuals in recognition of their contributions to IPP’s establishment, development, and continued work in mental health education and care.

A Decade of Education, Treatment, and Community Service

Over the years, IPP has developed an integrated model that combines postgraduate education, clinical services, research, and community engagement. Its Master’s Programme in Psychotherapy connects international academic approaches with local cultural and social contexts. According to the anniversary documentary, the programme has produced 69 graduates, with a further 50 students progressing through their studies.

The Institute’s clinical services have also expanded. By the end of 2020, IPP had opened its specialised outpatient clinic in Duhok, providing professional and confidential mental health services. Between 2021 and 2026, the clinic recorded 8,351 treatment sessions involving 942 cases.

To improve access to care for displaced people and underserved communities, IPP expanded its services to Sinjar in 2022, including services at Kabarto Camp and in Sinune. The documentary reported 616 cases treated and 4,161 sessions delivered through its Sinjar services.

In 2021, IPP also established a 24-hour psychological support hotline to improve access to assistance. By 2026, the hotline had received 1,545 calls, including 247 cases involving suicide attempts that received intervention. Its wider outreach activities had reached more than 16,000 people.

The Institute further expanded its response to substance-use challenges by opening a specialised addiction treatment clinic in 2025. Its community awareness activities included 82 sessions reaching 2,761 participants, alongside wider initiatives addressing stigma and encouraging people to seek professional support.

Together, these initiatives demonstrate how academic expertise can be translated into practical services that respond to community needs, particularly among people affected by conflict, displacement, and psychological trauma.

Strengthening International Partnerships and Local Expertise

IPP’s development has been supported by cooperation with international academic institutions and organisations, including Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW), the University of Tübingen, the German Government, the State of Baden-Württemberg, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), and SEZ.

These partnerships have contributed to academic development, professional training, and the integration of international expertise with local needs. The Institute has also provided training for 95 Syrian mental health professionals, extending its contribution beyond the Kurdistan Region.

IPP’s work connects education with practical experience, equips emerging professionals with specialised skills, and brings mental health services closer to communities affected by conflict and displacement. Its international cooperation also demonstrates the value of sustained partnerships in developing local expertise and strengthening professional services.

Advancing UoD’s Strategic Vision

The tenth anniversary reflects the University of Duhok’s commitment to advancing higher education and making meaningful contributions to society. Through IPP, the University brings together postgraduate education, professional development, clinical practice, and international cooperation to address an urgent public need.

As IPP enters its next decade, its experience underscores the importance of sustained institutional commitment, culturally responsive mental health care, and partnerships that strengthen local expertise.

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University Press Office, November 2, 2026
Reported by: Fatima Mahmood Ali
Photography: Mohammed A. Tahar