On June 30, 2026, as part of the ongoing activities of the “Zakat Al-Ilm” (Knowledge Zakat) institution for community awareness and development, a seminar was conducted at Cihan University-Duhok. The seminar was presented by Prof. Dr. Bayar M.Rasheed Omer, under the title “Who is the Intellectual?”, in the presence of university faculty members and staff.
Within the framework of volunteer work for the Zakat Al-Ilm foundation at Cihan University Sulaimaniyah ,As part of its ongoing scientific activities and commitment to strengthening academic partnerships, and in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding between Cihan University–Sulaimaniya and the Presidency of the Sulaimani Municipality, a specialized and advanced training course entitled “Water Resources Management and Flood Risk Mitigation” commenced today, Sunday, June 21, 2026.
The three-day training course is being delivered online by a team of engineering experts from Old Dominion University in the United States. Its primary objective is to familiarize engineers and participants with the latest technologies and international best practices for protecting surface water quality and reducing the impacts of flooding in our city.
Cihan University–Sulaimaniya continuously strives to serve as a bridge for transferring global knowledge and expertise to the Kurdistan Region, with the aim of strengthening institutional capacities and developing scientific solutions to environmental challenges.
Within the framework of volunteer work for the Zakat Al-Ilm foundation at Cihan University Sulaimaniyah ,The General Education Department at Cihan University-Sulaimaniya organized a training course for final-year students in April 29 and May 5, 2026, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Karim Sharif Qarachatani. The course aims to prepare students for the post-graduation phase, equipping them with essential job market skills and introducing modern teaching methodologies and professional interaction strategies within the educational environment.
On Tuesday, February 10–12, 2026, a training course was held at Cihan University–Erbil. The course was organized by the Departments of Business Administration and Media in coordination with the Erbil branch of the Kurdistan Economic Syndicate. During the course, university lecturers presented several practical and academic topics.
On Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the second day of the training, Assistant Lecturer Aso Abdulrahman, a member of the Erbil branch of the Kurdistan Economic Syndicate, and Dr. Mahmoud Hamdamin, Assistant Professor at Cihan University–Erbil, delivered lectures on the role of media and marketing.
Assistant Lecturer Aso Abdulrahman focused on the foundations of social media marketing. He emphasized key principles such as defining objectives, developing effective content, and using social media platforms to improve marketing performance and increase brand visibility. Assistant Professor Dr. Mahmoud Hamdamin then highlighted the importance of media in investment decision-making, explaining how media channels influence investor behavior, perceptions, and decision-making processes in financial markets.
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, the third day of the course, Assistant Professor Dr. Hawkar Qasim Pirdawood, Head of the Department of Business Administration, spoke about the importance of big data and market analysis through social media. He explained how large volumes of social media data can be analyzed to better understand user behavior, market trends, and business performance. Several practical activities were conducted with participants, including real examples of data collection and analysis, to provide hands-on experience and strengthen understanding of real-world applications. Later, Assistant Lecturer Dilan Ismail presented a session on returns in digital markets, discussing emerging concepts, the importance of return on investment (ROI), and effective strategies for measuring and improving digital marketing performance.
The course topics were presented through both academic and practical approaches, incorporating discussion, real-life examples, and applied training. At the end of the course, Assistant Professor Dr. Hawkar Qasim Pirdawood distributed certificates to the participants and lecturers who contributed to the training.
On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, the Headships of the Department of Business Administration and the Department of Media at Cihan University–Erbil, in coordination with the Kurdistan Economic Syndicate in Erbil, launched an intensive training course for students and lecturers from both departments.
The training course, titled “The Impact of Media and Social Media on Markets and Investment,” has started in the Cihan Academy Hall and is scheduled to continue for three days. At the beginning of the course, Assistant Professor Dr. Hawkar Qasim Pirdawood, Head of the Department of Business Administration, delivered an introductory speech in which he discussed the importance and objectives of the training course.
On the first day of the course, Professor Dr. Ayub Anwar Smaqayi, a university lecturer and representative of the Kurdistan Economic Syndicate in Erbil, presented a session on the influence of traditional media on consumer behavior. He focused on traditional media channels such as television, radio, newspapers, and magazines, explaining their important role in shaping consumers’ behavior, needs, and preferences. He also highlighted the power of advertising and its impact on individuals within society.
In another session of the course, Assistant Lecturer Azwar Mahdi Salih, Head of Media, discussed Media Department transformation and its impact on product development. During his presentation, Mr. Salih explained how changes in media technology and platforms affect product design, development, and marketing. He also emphasized the role of digital tools and modern media in understanding customer needs, improving product innovation, and increasing competitiveness and sustainability in the market.
At the end of the first day of the training course, students, lecturers, and attendees were given the opportunity to engage in discussion and ask questions about the topics presented, and the presenters provided clear and complete answers to all questions.
On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the Department of Business Administration at Cihan University–Erbil held a three-day training course for its students titled ‘Creating a University Environment that Supports Mental Health.” The course took place in the university’s academic hall and aimed to enhance students’ scientific and academic development.
The course was supervised by Assistant Professor Dr. Hawkar Qasim Pirdawood, Head of the Department of Business Administration.
At the beginning of the course, Assistant Professor Dr. Ebtisam Muhammad Saeed from the Department of Psychology at the Nineveh Education Administration presented several key topics. She emphasized the importance of mental health and explained its impact on students’ ability to study effectively, work productively, and maintain balance in their lives. She also discussed methods of providing mental support, such as active listening, guidance, and mindfulness programs, which help students cope with psychological pressure and strengthen their social relationships.
During the course, Assistant Professor Dr. Mahmoud Muhammad Amin Al-Bashkali, a lecturer in the Department of Business Administration at Cihan University–Erbil, addressed the effects of mental pressure on students’ decision-making and future leadership roles. He explained how stress negatively influences academic performance, concentration, and logical thinking, which in turn affects the quality of decision-making. He also discussed strategies for managing mental pressure and highlighted the role of support and guidance in preparing students to face future challenges.
Zakat al Ilm” program at Cihan University – Duhok continues offering distinguished courses. Today, Sunday, August 25th, 2024, the Department of Computer Science opened a practical course for teachers of Cihan International School. This practical course organized by the Department of Computer Science for teachers of Cihan International School addresses a variety of topics and techniques in the field of computer science and the use of technology and assistive programs in education. This course aims keep teachers’ skills up to date, which helps them provide more effective education and keep pace with modern technological developments.
On August 15th, 2024, the College of Nursing, Cihan University-Duhok, successfully concluded the “Heart Saver and First Aid” course, delivered as part of the “Zakat Al-Ilm” Program, an initiative aimed at promoting knowledge and skill development within the community. The course was led by Dr. [Layla M. Salih], Head of the College of Nursing, and was designed to provide advanced training in essential first aid practices. Over the course of one week, participants, specifically teachers from both primary and secondary schools, engaged in an intensive program that combined both theoretical knowledge and practical training. The curriculum covered critical areas of first aid, including the administration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), effective wound management, and the implementation of emergency response techniques. The course aimed to equip educators with the skills necessary to manage health emergencies that could arise in educational settings, thereby enhancing the safety and well-being of students under their care. The course also emphasized the importance of timely and effective intervention, reinforcing the role of teachers as first responders in school environments
7 new lectures in the human development training course On July 22 and 23, 2024, the continuation of (Zakat Al-ilm) center, General Education Department commenced a training course on Human Development for A number of teachers from the Semel Education Directorate. The course covered topics such as educational counseling, psychological awareness, English language, computer skills, and parental roles in education. Seven lectures were presented by the following instructors: 1- Prof. Dr. Byar Mohammed Rashid Omar on “Human Evaluation and Decision Making in Social Interactions” 2- Prof. Dr. Ismail Bamarnin on “Philosophy of violence and treatment mechanisms” 3- Dr. Ahmad Abdulkarim on “The Importance of Second Language with Mother Tongue, English as an Example” 4- Mr. Peshkaft Abdulkarim on “The Role of Teachers in Students’ Personality Development” 5- M.H. Ali Abdel Qader, about the role of the teacher in building the psychological aspect of the student. 6- Lawyer Sardar Alani on “The Dangers of Drugs and Their Impact on Society and Family” 7- Colonel Hemn Sulaiman on “The Law of Misuse of Communication Devices and Social Media Problems”
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Dlan Ismail, the Department of Media at Cihan University-Erbil organized a specialized training session titled Photojournalism Techniques, conducted by trainer Samal Tofiq.
The session, which involved the participation of the Media Department students, began with Assistant Lecturer Dlan Ismail highlighting the department’s efforts to further develop students’ academic level through media-related subjects and courses, focusing on a practical approach to enhance their skills.
Trainer Samal Tofiq then discussed the basics of camera operation and photojournalism techniques, explaining that progress in the media field requires professional competence and journalistic skills, including a strong understanding of photography and its different styles. Additionally, he pointed out camera techniques that enrich media content, noting that images reflect speed and deliver messages clearly.
During the session, students had the opportunity to ask questions. One of the students, Rizgar Salih, asked about the best angles for taking photos. Another student, Lawin Najat, inquired about the best types of cameras for media work.
After the question-and-answer session, Trainer Samal Tofiq explained the concept of ‘Golden Point’ or ‘Golden Ratio’ in photography, which determines the essence of a well-composed image. He also discussed different camera models and their suitability for photojournalism, stressing that media organizations seeking success must choose the right equipment for their work.
The session provides the students with valuable insights into photojournalism techniques, helping them improve their media production skills.
