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.
To celebrate the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid al-Nabi) and welcome the academic year 2024-2025, Dr. Ali M. Hussein (Head of the Biomedical Sciences Department, Cihan University-Erbil) organized a charity event.
This activity, which was held on Monday, September 16, 2024, under the supervision of Dr. Ali M. Hussein and Assistant Lecturer Hero Ismael Mohammed, involved the Biomedical Sciences Department students visiting the Erbil Orphanage for Boys and Girls. The students from the department as mentioned earlier provided the children living there with school supplies including special sweets on the occasion of Mawlid al-Nabi, and wished them a successful academic year 2024-2025.
Various activities are organized at Cihan University-Erbil annually to serve diverse groups of people. In addition to gathering orphans, conducting such a charity activity plays an important role in enhancing university students’ sense of responsibility towards society.
Second-stage students from the Medical Microbiology Department organized a volunteer health activity for people with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness. The initiative was carried out from February 6 to 9, 2025, at Aramy Home in the Bnaslawa district of Erbil, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Hero Ismael Mohammed.
Upon their arrival on February 6, 2025, the students were warmly welcomed by Mrs. Narmin Shaban, the home supervisor and organization head. As part of their initiative, the students conducted comprehensive health screenings for the residents, collecting blood samples for various medical tests, including Complete Blood Count (CBC), renal function tests, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure measurements.
Following the collection and laboratory analysis of the samples, the students returned to Aramy Home on Sunday, February 9, to provide residents with their test results, offer medical diagnoses, and raise awareness about health-related issues. The initiative aimed to enhance the well-being of the residents while fostering a sense of social responsibility among the students.
Mrs. Narmin expressed her gratitude to the students for their efforts, emphasizing the significance of such initiatives in supporting vulnerable communities. She commended their dedication and commitment to improving the health conditions of individuals residing in the home.
This volunteer activity highlights the vital role of medical students in community service and demonstrates the importance of integrating academic knowledge with practical, humanitarian efforts.
In the spirit of compassion and social responsibility, students from the Computer Science Department at Cihan University – Erbil organized a heartfelt charity drive to support families in need during the holy month of Ramadan.
On Wednesday, March 12, 2025, a variety of food items and essential supplies were purchased using the collected funds. Later, the students carefully prepared food baskets filled with staple goods for underprivileged families, ensuring they had the essentials to sustain themselves during the blessed month. The food baskets were then distributed to various areas.
This initiative is part of the students’ ongoing commitment to volunteer work, driven by their sense of social responsibility and desire to make a positive impact. Through such efforts, they fostered kindness and solidarity, especially during times when support is most needed.
They expressed their joy in being able to give back to the community, emphasizing that this drive reflects the core humanitarian values they strive to uphold. Additionally, they shared their hope that their efforts will inspire others to contribute to charitable causes and continue spreading the spirit of generosity and care.
As part of the commitment to social responsibility, first- and second-year students from the Computer Science Department at Cihan University-Erbil visited the Awat Institute for the Development of Children with Special Needs on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Sarah Jamal Hussein. They were warmly received by Gelawezh Tahir Karim, a social researcher.
To demonstrate a spirit of cooperation, both groups of students contributed to purchasing gifts for the children. The gifts were distributed during the visit, bringing joy and support to the children.
The administration staff of the institute commended this initiative, emphasizing the importance of such activities in fostering human connections and promoting a culture of giving and volunteerism. This visit was part of a series of community engagement events organized by Cihan University-Erbil, aiming to instill humanitarian values and reinforce the role of serving society among students.
As part of positive engagement with the community, the Computer Science Department at Cihan University-Erbil organized a visit to the Emirates Autism Center on Wednesday, December 18, 2024. The visit involved first- and second-stage students from the mentioned department under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Reem Jafar Ismail.
It was marked as a humanitarian initiative whereby the students prepared and presented gifts to the children in an atmosphere filled with love and joy, which created memorable moments of happiness and meaningful human interaction.
The Emirates Autism Center is a unique center for children aged three to six years and is one of the leading institutions providing free support and specialized care for this group. The center gradually trains children to improve their behaviors, such as sitting calmly and reducing hyperactivity, using a reward-based approach that includes encouragement or gifts, and helping them develop their social and behavioral skills.
The center’s management commended Cihan University-Erbil students for bringing joy and support to the children, highlighting the importance of such initiatives in fostering collaboration and achieving the center’s goals. The visit emphasized the University’s dedication to holistic student development through meaningful community engagement.
The Computer Science Department at Cihan University – Erbil organized a charity campaign for the Elderly Care Center on Wednesday, October 16, 2024. The event was supervised by Assistant Lecturer Alyaa Asaad Mahdi, with participation from the academic staff and fourth-level students.
A delegation from the department was welcomed by Mr. Sangar Jamal Abdulkareem, the director of the Elderly Care Center in Erbil, to enhance the living environment of the center. During the visit, the students gathered detailed information about the center’s needs. In response to this information, the academic staff and students provided essential supplies, including furniture and necessary materials for maintenance.
The Computer Science Department at Cihan University – Erbil values student participation in charitable initiatives as a way to encourage responsibility toward the community.
