Civic and Social Responsibility Initiatives

On Monday, October 20, 2025, Najwa Baqi Rashid, a second-year student in the Media Department at Cihan University–Erbil, participated in the program Good Morning Kurdistan on the Kurdistan TV satellite channel to discuss the role of volunteers in the Rangalla campaign, which is dedicated to beautifying the city of Erbil.

In the program, Najwa Baqi shared her experience in beautifying Erbil, stating that the campaign’s activities began with cleaning and painting walls on 150-meter and 120-meter streets in the city. She explained that the campaign primarily targets places that need cleaning and painting, such as under bridges, schools, and public spaces.

Najwa also mentioned that she has been working with this organization for eight months and has tried to participate in their activities as much as possible. Speaking about her work, she said, “When we paint and clean the walls, and when we draw the Kurdistan flag and know that foreigners also see this work, a beautiful feeling is created within me. It is a source of pride for me.”

The Rangalla campaign is organized by the Maple Tree Organization and supervised by the Erbil Municipality Presidency. Its goal is to transform walls from inappropriate and disorganized writings into canvases that convey messages of peace, unity, and the protection of culture and national identity.

A group of dedicated volunteers from Erbil city has launched a campaign titled ‘Rangalle’ to remove and erase all inappropriate and unsuitable writings that have appeared as an abnormal phenomenon on the streets, alleys, and public roads of Erbil. Within this framework, a Media Department student from Cihan University–Erbil participated as a volunteer in the campaign.

Najwa Baqi Rashid, a second-year student in the Media Department at Cihan University–Erbil, took part as a volunteer in the campaign’s activities aimed at beautifying Erbil city. The campaign began with cleaning and painting the walls along the 150-Meter Street and 120-Meter Street in Erbil.

During the campaign, Najwa and other volunteers first removed all inappropriate and unfamiliar writings from the walls along these streets. They then repainted the walls with images of the Kurdistan flag and other artistic designs.

The Rangalle Campaign is organized by the Maple Tree Organization and supervised by the Erbil Municipality Presidency, with the goal of transforming city walls into canvases that convey messages of peace, unity, and cultural preservation instead of inappropriate or irregular words.

To support and encourage the volunteers, Engineer Karzan Hadi, the Mayor of Erbil, also participated in the campaign’s activities. In his speech, he expressed gratitude and appreciation to the students and young volunteers who are contributing to beautifying the image of Erbil city.

On Sunday, September 21, 2025, on the occasion of World Environmental Cleanup Day, a group of third- and fourth-year students from the Department of Media at Cihan University-Erbil carried out an extensive environmental cleanup and awareness campaign in the Kurdistan Neighborhood (Al-Askari) in Erbil city. The activity was conducted under the supervision of the Head of the Department.

The students launched their campaign under the slogan “Every Individual is Responsible for Protecting the Environment.” At the start, they began collecting waste and litter from the streets and market areas. They gathered large amounts of plastic, cardboard, and food waste, placing the materials into designated bags and disposing of them at official collection points. This initiative had a noticeable impact on improving the cleanliness of both the neighborhood and the marketplace.

In addition to the cleanup, the students also delivered awareness messages to traders and residents, encouraging them to maintain a clean and healthy environment.

This campaign aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), Goal 13 (Climate Action), and Goal 15 (Life on Land). Notably, on January 8, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly unanimously designated September 20 of every year as World Environmental Cleanup Day, now celebrated globally with diverse activities and initiatives.

On Wednesday, November 6, 2024, a group of students from the Department of Business Administration at Cihan University-Erbil, under the supervision and in presence of Assistant Professor Dr. Qusay Hamid Al-Salamy and Dr. Sahar Jalal Fatah, visited Babagurgur Mixed Primary School.

Upon arrival, the supervising lecturers and the students were warmly welcomed by the school director Mr. Latif Mohammed Sharif, who then accompanied them to visit the classrooms at different levels and familiarized them with the learning environment there.

Some clothes, bags, and school supplies were later distributed to the students studying there. At the end, Mr. Latif Mohammed Sharif thanked both the supervising teachers and the students. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of such initiatives in promoting education and teaching and providing a favorable learning environment.

On Wednesday, February 19, 2025, fourth-year students from the Accounting Department at Cihan University-Erbil undertook a volunteer initiative by visiting Al-Zahraa Secondary School for Girls to promote environmental awareness and contribute to increasing green spaces. The visit supervisors Dr. Ibrahim Hussein and Assistant Lecturer Raz Azad Jalal, along with the students, were warmly received by the school principal, Ms. Shahwanam Janki Mustafa, and several teachers. The school administrator expressed deep appreciation for this initiative, emphasizing its role in strengthening collaboration between the academic community and the local society.

During the visit, the students actively participated in planting trees and flowers in the school gardens, aiming to enhance the school environment and raise awareness about the importance of greenery. This initiative sought to improve the city’s aesthetic appeal and contribute to environmental sustainability in Erbil. Beyond its environmental impact, the activity also fostered stronger connections between the academic and local communities, highlighting Cihan University-Erbil’s commitment to supporting volunteer initiatives and engaging in community service.

Such activities helped cultivate teamwork and initiative among the students while reinforcing the concept of social responsibility. They not only contributed to environmental conservation but also enriched the students’ practical experiences and life skills. Additionally, the visit gave them the opportunity to connect academic knowledge with real-world applications, emphasizing the significance of volunteer work in achieving sustainable development.

On January 7, 2025, the Department of Accounting at Cihan University-Erbil organized a heartfelt visit to a local orphanage, bringing joy and support to the children. The event saw active participation from third- and fourth-stage students, who were accompanied and supervised by Assistant Lecturer Raz Azad Jalal and Assistant Lecturer Ali Jalal.

Upon their arrival at the orphanage, Assistant Lecturer Raz Azad Jalal and Assistant Lecturer Ali Jalal, along with the students, were warmly welcomed by Mr. Sherwan Abdurrahman, the orphanage manager. The children then joined the students in a spirited football game, posed for photographs, and received thoughtful gifts, including football shoes, sports medals, jerseys, and watches.

This visit, organized as part of a humanitarian and social responsibility program, aimed to spread joy and create lasting memories for the children. The students were deeply moved by the happiness reflected on the children’s faces as they received their gifts.

The visit concluded with Assistant Lecturer Raz Azad Jalal and Assistant Lecturer Ali Jalal expressing sincere appreciation to Mr. Sherwan Abdurrahman for his invaluable support and insights throughout the visit.