A session on the topic of “social stigma”

On January 12, 2026, a number of students from Cihan University-Duhok, at the initiative of the Dean of the College of Law, Dr. Reber Hussein, and under the supervision of the university’s Academic Officer, Shiyan Mahdi, participated in an important workshop organized by the Zhinda Organization in cooperation with the Independent Commission for Human Rights – Duhok Office, and in coordination with Cihan University-Duhok.

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from Ms. M. Chiman, President of the Zhinda Organization, and Mr. Diler Abdullah Hassan, Head of the Independent Commission for Human Rights – Duhok Office, who presented an overview of the workshop’s objectives and main themes.

Following this, Professor Dr. Ismail Ababakr Bamarni, a university professor, delivered the first lecture, entitled: “The Role of Legal Philosophy in Changing Social and Individual Awareness,” in which he addressed the intellectual and philosophical dimensions of law and their impact on reshaping societal mindsets. In the second session, Dr. Zubaida Sayed Saleh presented her lecture entitled:

“The Impact of Social Stigma on Women’s Participation in the Labor Market,” highlighting the social and cultural challenges that hinder women’s economic empowerment.

The workshop concluded with an open academic discussion involving students from Cihan University-Duhok and a number of academics and trainers, focusing on the phenomenon of social stigma and the importance of promoting women’s participation in society. The session also featured intellectual dialogue and an exchange of views, along with in-depth discussions on ways to confront entrenched stereotypes and support the active role of women in society.

On the second day, January 18, 2026, a number of students from Cihan University-Duhok, at the initiative of the Dean of the College of Law, Dr. Reber Hussein, and under the supervision of the Academic Officer of Cihan University-Duhok, Shiyan Mahdi, participated in an important workshop organized by the Zhinda Organization in cooperation with the Independent Commission for Human Rights – Duhok Office and the Duhok Women’s Council for Peace and Participation, and in coordination with Cihan University-Duhok.

The workshop opened with welcoming remarks from both the head of the Zhinda Organization, Ms. M. Chiman, and the head of the Independent Commission for Human Rights – Duhok Office, Mr. Dalir Abdullah Hassan, who presented an overview of the workshop’s objectives and main themes.

Following this, Professor Dr. Ismail Ababakr Bamarni delivered the first lecture, titled “The Role of Legal Philosophy in Changing Social and Individual Awareness,” in which he addressed the intellectual and philosophical dimensions of law and their impact on reshaping societal mindsets.

In the second session, Dr. Zubaida Sayed Saleh presented her lecture, titled “The Impact of Social Stigma on Women’s Participation in the Labor Market,” highlighting the social and cultural challenges that hinder women’s economic empowerment. The workshop concluded with an open academic discussion involving students from Cihan University-Duhok and a number of academics and trainers. The discussion focused on the phenomenon of social stigma and the importance of promoting women’s participation in society. The session also featured intellectual dialogue and an exchange of opinions, along with in-depth discussions on ways to confront entrenched stereotypes and support women’s active role within society.

It is worth mentioning that this event comes within the activities of the project “Women of Duhok Raise Their Voices for Peace: Towards Fair and Inclusive Participation”, implemented in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1325, and with the support of both the WFWI organization and the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

Volunteers

# Image Name Duration Credits
1 SALIH FAROQ SALIH SALIH FAROQ SALIH 4 90
2 Ashti Mousa Jaafar Ashti Mousa Jaafar 4 90
3 MIWAFAQ ISMAEL MOHAMMED MIWAFAQ ISMAEL MOHAMMED 4 90
4 ASHAWAQ ZERAVAN MURAD ZERO ASHAWAQ ZERAVAN MURAD ZERO 4 90
5 AZAD ZAIDAN QADER AZAD ZAIDAN QADER 4 90
6 HINDREEN HUSSAIN AHMED HINDREEN HUSSAIN AHMED 4 90
7 Alnd Harbi Ahmad Alnd Harbi Ahmad 4 90
8 Shiyan Mahdi Abdulrahman Shiyan Mahdi Abdulrahman 8 100

First-stage students and teachers of Rwandz Technical Private Institute (Zakho branch) paid a visit to Cihan University–Duhok on Wednesday, 28th of January. In collaboration with Cihan Academy and the English Department at Cihan University, a scientific visit was organized for 30 students from the institute. During the visit, students were introduced to Cihan University, its colleges, and departments, and were given a tour of the university library. A seminar was then presented by Munawar Subhi Ibrahim, Head of Rwandz Technical Private Institute, and Ms. Chiyan Muatasim Jamil Al-Ibrahim, a teacher in the English Department at Cihan University–Duhok, focusing on scholarships and students’ future. The visit concluded with a tour of the Kurdish House at Cihan
University–Duhok.

On Monday, December 28, 2025, Rizgar Salih, a third-stage student in the Media Department at Cihan University-Erbil, discussed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by university students during a television program on Speda Satellite Channel.

The program, Amroy Speda, dedicated one of its segments to ‘The Use of Artificial Intelligence by University Students’. For this segment, the channel invited Rizgar Salih to share his insights. At the beginning of his talk, he stated: Artificial Intelligence is not entirely new, but it has now become widespread, especially among students, as it is a highly supportive tool that can provide significant benefits in education.

He added, Artificial Intelligence complements human work and advances society, but we must not forget that it cannot completely replace human jobs and professions.

Later, Rizgar Salih noted: University students should make the most of AI’s features, but they must not let it replace their own critical thinking. At university, we have various tasks and responsibilities; it is normal to use AI as an assistant to gather information or manage time. However, we must not rely entirely on it to complete all our tasks, as this could ultimately harm our academic and scientific development.

Regarding lecturers’ perspectives on students’ use of Artificial Intelligence he pointed out that many allow it, provided it is used correctly and within certain limits, so that students benefit rather than suffer harm. He also mentioned that many lecturers guide students on how to use AI effectively and responsibly.

In his concluding remarks, Rizgar emphasized that students must stay updated and aware of contemporary technological changes. Since the current era is known as the age of Artificial Intelligence, he stressed that it is essential not to remain ignorant of these advancements.

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, on the occasion of Flag Day, the Department of Media at Cihan University–Erbil organized a field activity at Milli Market in the Newroz neighbourhood, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Ahmed Jamal Hama Karim.

The activity was participated by students from both the first and second stages of the Department of Media. During the activity, the students distributed Kurdistan flags and informational brochures to citizens at Milli Market in the Newroz neighbourhood of Erbil city. The brochure content included information about the Kurdistan flag and its components, as well as the history of raising the Kurdistan flag for the first time by Peshawa Qazi Muhammad. In addition, the brochure referred to the 2009 decision of the Kurdistan Parliament, which designated December 17 of each year as Flag Day.

The purpose of the activity was to commemorate Flag Day, raise public awareness about the history and symbolism of the Kurdistan flag, and foster loyalty and national identity among citizens. These aims reflect one of the main objectives of the Department of Media in organizing this meaningful activity.