On July 9th, 2024, Dr. Rebar Hussein, Dean of the Faculty of Law at Cihan University-Duhok, and Mr. Dler Abdullah, representative of the Human Rights Committee of Duhok, visited the Directorate of Reform in Duhok. During their visit, they conducted a legal course for women and an English language course for young people, aiming to enhance legal awareness and language skills among the community.
On Tuesday, February 25, 2025, a group of second-year students from the Department of Media at Cihan University-Erbil visited Lana City Primary School under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Dlan Ismail.
The students were warmly received by Mr. Hawkar Hamdamin, the school principal.
During the visit, the university students delivered a seminar on internet safety in the presence of the school’s teachers and students. Their seminar emphasized the importance of informed social media engagement, sparking a lively dialogue with students through thought-provoking questions. This interactive approach encouraged open discussions and allowed students to share their perspectives on internet usage.
As part of their visit, the Media Department students created a comfortable space for students to explore their understanding of social media. They fostered a deeper awareness of both the benefits and potential risks associated with online platforms.
The seminar also addressed the legal implications of social media misuse, outlining relevant laws and penalties. Additionally, the students discussed the dangers of excessive internet use and addiction.
At the end of the visit, the teachers and students expressed their gratitude to the Cihan University-Erbil students for their valuable efforts. They appreciated the informative seminar on internet safety and its role in clarifying the impact of social media on their lives while enhancing their understanding of online safety.
On January 20, 2025, the Department of Media at Cihan University-Erbil organized a workshop titled “Fundamentals of TV Presentation and Communication Skills for Journalists,” presented by Dr. Amjad Younis Al-Janabi, an academic and media professional from Samarra Satellite Channel. This initiative reflects the university’s commitment to supporting the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on quality education and lifelong learning. The workshop was attended by Assistant Lecturer Azwar Mehdi Qasim Agha, Head of the Media Department, along with faculty members and a large group of students.
In the first session, Dr. Amjad Younis addressed the “Fundamentals of Presentation and Dealing with the Camera.” He provided a thorough explanation of how to prepare mentally, physically, and psychologically for working in front of the camera, with a strong emphasis on practical application. His engaging teaching style, including innovative analogies like comparing a TV production team to a football team, encouraged active student participation and sparked insightful discussions.
The second session, led by Dr. Ali Munim Al-Qudah, focused on “Essential Communication Skills for Beginner Journalists.” He covered key skills such as writing, editing, using modern technology, public speaking, dialogue, reading, and non-verbal communication. Dr. Ali Munim also stressed the importance of consistent training and practice to hone these skills.
At the end of the session, Dr. Amjad Younis expressed interest in hosting Media Department students at Samarra Satellite Channel. He emphasized the value of field visits as a means of bridging theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
Assistant Lecturer Azwar Qasim Agha reflected on the workshop’s significance, stating that it plays a crucial role in “honing the skills of our students and equipping them for success in the media industry.” He also highlighted the Media Department’s ongoing effort to bring in experts from various media organizations, ensuring students stay up-to-date with the latest trends and best practices. This workshop is part of the Media Department’s broader commitment to preparing students for the job market while contributing to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 4, which emphasizes quality education.
Partnered with Xiaomi, the Department of Media at Cihan University-Erbil hosted a Photography workshop for students. The workshop, which focused on mobile photography, portrait photography, and photo editing, provided participants with hands-on experience and valuable insights from industry professionals.
Mr. Hussien Faleh Raheem, a local photographer, led the workshop, shared his expertise, and guided students through various techniques and exercises. Participants had the opportunity to try out Xiaomi’s latest smartphone cameras, learn composition and lighting techniques, and edit photos using professional software.
‘‘This collaboration with Xiaomi provided students with a unique learning experience and access to cutting-edge technology’’, said Azwar Qasim Agha, Head of the Media Department. ‘‘We are committed to providing our students the opportunities to develop their skills and connect with industry leaders,’’ he added.
The workshop was well-received by students, who expressed their appreciation for the practical knowledge and skills gained.
This initiative highlights Cihan University-Erbil’s dedication to providing students with practical as well as industry-relevant training and fostering collaborations with leading companies such as Xiaomi.
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 Monday, October 13, 2025, students from the Department of Media at Cihan University–Erbil, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Dlan Ismael Mawlood, conducted a scientific visit to Ban Private School in the Havalan neighborhood and organized an awareness activity.
The supervisor and students were warmly received by Mrs. Narmin Ahmed Mustafa, the school principal, who expressed her gratitude and appreciation to the Department of Media at Cihan University–Erbil for their initiative in organizing this awareness activity and seminar for the school’s students. She also emphasized the importance of such initiatives, particularly in today’s era, when students are heavily exposed to communication devices and electronic media.
The activity included a seminar on “Electronic Media Misuse,” presented to 11th-grade students by third-year Media Department students.
In the first part of the seminar, student Qaraman Jawhar discussed the types of media violence and their effects on individuals and society, explaining how such violence can lead to negative psychological and social consequences among students.
In the second part, student Sarkar Hussein focused on self-protection mechanisms against media violence and methods of addressing such threats, including digital security management and protection of personal information.
Subsequently, student Layar Aza highlighted the law on combating the misuse of communication devices and discussed the availability of communication hotlines for self-protection and reporting to relevant authorities when encountering electronic attacks.
At the end of the activity, Mrs. Narmin Ahmed Mustafa, principal of Ban Private School, thanked the supervising instructor and the Media Department students for organizing this scientific and awareness-raising event. She also expressed her hope for the continuation of such activities, which aim to foster awareness and build psychologically and socially healthy individuals within society.
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.
students from the departments of IT and English Translation visited Ava TV Channel to have a hands-on experience and learn more about the operations of a media organization. During their visit, the students had the opportunity to explore various departments within the channel, including broadcasting, editing, and content production. They were guided by the channel’s staff, who shared insights into the technology and strategies used in modern media, as well as the collaboration between technical and creative teams.
On Wednesday, January 15, 2025, a large group of students from the Department of Business Administration at Cihan University-Erbil participated in the launch of the Environmental Preservation Campaign. The event was organized in collaboration with the Municipality of Erbil, Kasnazan region to clean the Monument Area in Erbil.
It was held under the direct support and supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Hawkar Qasim Pirdawod, Head of the Business Administration Department, who was also present at the event.
This campaign involved the participation of more than 110 students from various stages of the department mentioned earlier, supervised by Assistant Lecturer Hevi Mohammed Qadir, Assistant Professor Dr. Qusay Al-Hamidi, and Assistant Lecturer Raz Azad Jalal. The event was also attended by Engineer Ali Rashid Mustafa, Head of the Kasnazan Municipality, Mr. Saeb Haroon Rashid, Director of Kasnazan Area, Mr. Mohammed Hassan, Head of the Kasnazan Area Committee, and Mr. Hunar Kamal Anwer, Head of the Kasnazan Forestry Office, along with several staff members.
The campaign aimed to raise environmental awareness and encourage civic responsibility.
