As part of its commitment to cultural and linguistic identity, and on the occasion of International Mother Language Day, Cihan University-Duhok held a scientific panel discussion on February 21, 2026, under the patronage of Professor Dr. Zirvan Abdulmohsen Asaad, the university president. The event was themed: “Our Language… Our Identity and Existence.”
Participants in the panel discussion included:
1. Professor Dr. Bayez Omar Ahmed (Linguist and Researcher): His paper addressed “The Stages of Mother Language Development in Children.”
2. Mr. Muayad Tayeb Ahmed (Poet and Writer): His presentation focused on “The Role of the Mother Language in Education and Creativity.”
3. Mr. Ismat Khabour (Specialist in Kurdish Language and Literature): He reviewed “The Current State of the Mother Language and the Challenges and Obstacles Facing its Development.”
The session included extensive discussions on the importance of preserving the mother tongue as a fundamental pillar of identity.
Other activities included:
1. A competition was held with the participation of 300 students, focusing on writing the largest number of words in the mother tongue within just 10 minutes, with the aim of enhancing students’ language skills.
2. A select group of mothers who teach at Cihan University-Duhok were honored.
3. An award of appreciation was presented to the prominent writer and linguist, Ahmed Abdullah Zaro, in recognition of his significant role and clear contributions to the Kurdish language.
On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, students from the Department of Business Administration, in coordination with the Maple Tree Organization, carried out a national activity to commemorate Kurdistan Flag Day.
During the event, students from various levels of the Department, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Hawkar Qasim Pirdawod, collaborated with members of the Maple Tree Organization to distribute 8,000 Kurdistan map stickers with the slogan 2+2=1 for mobile phones. The distribution took place at several locations across Erbil, including the Erbil Citadel area, Sami Abdulrahman Park, the Zeravani Command, the Peers Institute, and Majdi School. This student-led campaign aimed to promote national identity, raise awareness, and foster a spirit of unity within Kurdish society.
At the end of the activity, the students pledged to continue organizing such initiatives, recognizing their role in strengthening and reinforcing national consciousness in the community.
,Within the framework of volunteer work for the Zakat Al-Ilm foundation at Cihan University Sulaimaniyah
n International Mother Language Day, the Law Department at Cihan University-Slemani discussed the legal and administrative dimensions of the Kurdish language within official institutions
Within the framework of ongoing scientific and academic activities, and to commemorate International Mother Language Day, the Department of Law at Cihan University-Sulaimaniya organized a specialized field workshop titled “The Kurdish Language as a Language of Administrative Writing.” The workshop was held on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 10:00 AM in the university’s seminar hall. The event was attended by the University President, Prof. Dr. Omed Rafiq Fatah, the Vice President, Asst. Prof. Dr. Sadat Abdullah, along with a significant number of faculty members and students.
The panel discussion featured an in-depth analysis of the obstacles and challenges facing the use of the Kurdish language in official institutions generally, and within the Sulaymaniyah Governorate specifically. The topics were presented as follows:
First Topic: Mr. Shaho Osman Karim (Deputy Governor of Sulaymaniyah) presented a comprehensive field assessment regarding “The level of reliance on Kurdish as a language of administrative writing in the institutions of Sulaymaniyah Governorate,” highlighting both the positive and negative aspects of language usage in official correspondence.
Second Topic: Ms. Layla Omar Ali (Head of Sulaymaniyah Municipality) discussed the subject from the perspective of service institutions, focusing on “The role of the Municipality in promoting and developing the standard Kurdish language,” providing live examples from the field.
Third Topic: Dr. Aso Hamashin Abdulkarim (Head of the Law Department) focused on the legal and administrative aspects, elaborating on “The role of administrative authority in prioritizing the Kurdish language as both an official language and a mother tongue,” clarifying the legal responsibilities in this regard.
The panel was moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Ibad Ibrahim Ahmed (Faculty member in the Department of Law).
The workshop concluded with a Q&A session involving the attendees and the presentation of several recommendations aimed at improving the quality of written language in government departments.
Delivering the last lesson in the English language course in Derlok district In line with Cihan University’s commitment to fostering academic and social engagement, the Scientific Zakat Center, in collaboration with the university’s General Education Department and English Language Department, opened an English language course for youths in the Deraluk district. This initiative exemplifies the university’s core values of community service, as the center encourages both instructors and graduates to share their expertise and contribute to the community by undertaking diverse activities, on August 8th, 2024 another lecture was presented, on general culture, which was presented by (Mr.Hejar Ali).
English Department at Cihan University-Duhok concluded the English language course for Hawshke High School students on august 6th, 2024. The course aimed to improve students’ ability to communicate fluently by exposing them to and allowing them to practice a wide range of effective oral expression techniques. Participants were given advise on the most direct and effective techniques to improve their English proficiency. The course also taught students how to use the internet and other modern technology to improve their English language skills.
On the 37th anniversary of the Anfal genocide, third-year students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University-Erbil conducted a commemorative seminar at Dunya Mixed Primary School. The event, which took place on Monday 14th April 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Zahraakhan Maroof Taher, was organized as part of Memorial Day activities.
The students were warmly received by Mrs. Parwa Nuraldeen Kaka Mustafa, the school director, The event, held in the school hall, was attended by teachers and students from grades 7 and 8.
The program began with the playing of the Kurdish national anthem, followed by a seminar presented by the Biomedical Sciences Department students. During their presentation, they screened a documentary film highlighting the events of the Anfal campaign—an operation carried out by Ba’athist Iraq from February to September 1988. The event was aimed at suppressing Kurdish resistance and involved the systematic targeting of rural Kurdish communities to eliminate rebel groups and Arabize strategic areas of Kurdistan.
At the conclusion of the event, Mrs. Parwa Nuraldeen Kaka expressed her appreciation to the students for their initiative, noting that the activity served to strengthen national awareness and pride among the younger generation.
On Sunday, 2nd of this month, Cihan Duhok Music Group visited Zanyari Primary School with Cihan Academy-Duhok under the Scientific Zakat Program. In this activity, several beautiful Kurdish songs were performed for the students and staff of the school and then gifts were distributed by the university staff. Finally, a letter of appreciation was presented by the school director to the Presidency of Cihan University-Duhok.
The students of the Translation Department at the College of Languages and Humanities at Erbil International University, on the occasion of World Translation Day, carried out a number of activities such as translating phrases related to puzzles and translating oral challenges for the visit to London.
This seminar was about artificial intelligence in English translation in the present and past eras.
In the past, translating a book required three people working for a week and three days.
The training program on body language and etiquette addresses our daily behavior in government and private sector offices, how to conduct official visits, and leadership.
