On Wednesday, October 1, 2025, students from the Department of English Language organized an awareness campaign at Sami Abdulrahman Park under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen.
The initiative, organized by the third-stage students, marked the International Day of Older Persons, observed globally on October 1 each year. Its purpose was to raise awareness about the importance of respecting and valuing elderly people, while also emphasizing their rights and contributions to society. As part of the campaign, students distributed cards containing short English speeches that highlighted the significance of caring for older persons. The initiative also addressed the need to protect the elderly from neglect and social isolation, while promoting healthy aging and active lifestyles.
In addition, the campaign underlined the role of reading as a core English language skill by encouraging the community to read the speeches aloud and share them with elderly family members. Through these efforts, the students strengthened community engagement and emphasized the valuable contributions of older persons to social development.
On Tuesday, September 23, 2025, students from the Department of English at Cihan University-Erbil presented an informative seminar at Collins College titled, The Importance of Artificial Intelligence in Enhancing Reading Comprehension, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood.
Upon arrival, Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood and the students were warmly received by Mr. Safar Mohammed Hasan, an English language teacher, and Ms. Sara, the assistant coordinator of the college. During the seminar, the students highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming the way learners approach reading. Additionally, they emphasized that reading is a core English language skill, essential for critical thinking, academic success, and lifelong learning. They also explained that by integrating AI technologies, learners can overcome common challenges, such as limited vocabulary, comprehension difficulties, and lack of motivation.
The seminar concluded with a Q&A session, where participants asked engaging questions about AI, followed by an exchange of information between Cihan University-Erbil and Collins College of English students.
The five-day intensive training course took place from Sunday, September 14, 2025, to Thursday, September 18, 2025, at Erbil International Hospital. Organized collaboratively by the Ministry of Interior and Erbil International Hospital, the course featured the active involvement of two distinguished students from the Community Health Nursing Department at Cihan University-Erbil, Osman Rasool Ali and Rashad Izzadeen Rashad. They successfully provided comprehensive first aid training to the border guard personnel.
The program aimed to enhance the proficiency of border guard personnel and train them in essential first aid skills, including the management of various emergency situations. A total of 21 border guard personnel participated in the course. During the training, the Cihan University-Erbil students covered several key first aid topics, including the management of shock, handling cases of hypotension and hypertension, detailed procedures for treating burns and fractures, and strategies for managing hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
The course also included practical sessions, such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and demonstrations of the recovery position. These hands-on activities were designed to empower participants to potentially save lives before patients reach the hospital and to strengthen their ability to perform effectively in the field.
At the end of the program, certificates of participation were awarded to all border guard personnel who successfully completed the course.
On Sunday, October 12, 2025, fourth-year students from the Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis at Cihan University–Erbil embarked on an insightful scientific visit to Helmat Private Boys’ School in Erbil. It was organized under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Sally Khaleel Baqer.
The students were warmly received by Mr. Gerdu Majid, the school’s principal, who expressed his appreciation for Cihan University’s initiative in promoting health awareness among adolescents. During the visit, the students delivered an educational lecture titled “The Harmful Effects of Smoking and Alcohol Consumption.” They discussed in detail the health risks associated with smoking, explaining how nicotine and carbon monoxide affect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, damage tissues, and reduce oxygen transport.
They also emphasized the strong link between smoking and cancers of the lungs, throat, and bladder, while addressing the psychological aspects of addiction and the gradual development of dependence over time.
Regarding alcohol, they explained its toxic effects on the liver and nervous system, noting its contribution to impaired cognitive function and hormonal imbalance. They also discussed the social factors that influence substance use and emphasized the importance of preventive education from an early age. The session was highly interactive, with the school students showing great curiosity and actively participating in discussions on maintaining both physical and mental health.
On Thursday, October 2, 2025, the Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis organized a scientific visit for second-year students to Rawa Private School, located on 100 Meter Street in Erbil, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Sally Khaleel Baqer.
During the visit, the students delivered an educational lecture titled, ‘Obesity and Its Impact on Diabetes and General Health in Adolescents.’ The lecture addressed the main causes of obesity among teenagers, emphasizing the relationship between lifestyle, nutrition, and daily habits, and explaining how obesity contributes to insulin resistance and increases the risk of early-onset diabetes.
The students also conducted a Blood Glucose Test for several pupils, demonstrating the key steps for measuring and interpreting blood sugar levels in a clear and practical manner. Afterwards, they led a hands-on session on Blood Group Testing, highlighting the importance of knowing one’s blood type in medical emergencies and blood donation. The activity generated strong engagement and interest from both the pupils and the school’s teaching staff.
The visit concluded in a highly interactive atmosphere, with Rawa School’s staff commending the students for presenting medical information in an accessible and informative way. They also emphasized the importance of continuing such awareness programs, which strengthen collaboration between the university and educational institutions while promoting health education among young people.
On Sunday, October 19, 2025, the Department of Medical Laboratory Analysis – College of Applied Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Sally Khaleel Baqer, organized a humanitarian visit for fourth-year students to the Erbil Orphanage. The visit was part of the department’s community engagement activities aimed at fostering a spirit of volunteerism and social responsibility among students while encouraging their participation in humanitarian initiatives.
The students were received by Mr. Sherwan Abdulrahman, who provided a detailed overview of the orphanage’s management system, the number of children residing there, and the educational and psychological programs designed to support their development and well-being. The students toured the facility, learned about the daily care and services provided to the children, and gained valuable insight into the challenges faced by the staff working in this vital humanitarian field.
During the visit, the students distributed one hundred gifts to the children as a symbolic gesture to bring joy to their hearts and to promote the values of empathy, kindness, and social awareness.
At the end of the visit, the students expressed their appreciation for this meaningful experience, emphasizing the importance of such activities in developing social and humanitarian awareness alongside their academic and scientific training.
On Wednesday, 26 November 2025, the Agro Pack, Food & Plast Iraq 2025 exhibition considered Iraq’s largest and most significant event in the agriculture, food, packaging, and plastics sectors welcomed the participation of second-year students from the Department of Informatics and Software Engineering. The visit was supervised by Assistant Lecturer Yazan Saif Al-Din and took place at the Erbil International Fairground.
The exhibition, held from 24 to 27 November 2025, brought together more than 400 companies across 17,000 m², showcasing the latest technologies and innovations in agriculture, food production, packaging systems, and plastic industries. Organizers emphasized that the event serves as a hub for innovation and knowledge exchange, as well as a strategic platform for strengthening commercial cooperation and supporting economic growth in Iraq and the region.
During the visit, students gained valuable insights into how technology supports modern industrial operations, including digitalization and smart factory transformation, production management and logistics systems, control and monitoring technologies, and software solutions for quality assurance and food safety. The visit also opened opportunities for future collaboration, training, and professional development.
This participation provided a meaningful practical learning experience that enhanced the students’ skills and contributed positively to the department and the university’s engagement in one of Iraq’s major industrial exhibitions.
On Friday, 14 November 2025, the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil organized a comprehensive community health awareness campaign at Family Mall in Erbil to observe World Diabetes Day. Assistant Lecturer Hero Ismael Mohammed and Ms. Nza Hameed Ali supervised the activity, and Biomedical Sciences students actively participated throughout the event.
During the campaign, the students offered free health screenings for mall visitors, including random blood glucose testing, blood pressure measurement, and blood group determination. These services helped individuals identify potential health risks and encouraged them to seek timely medical follow-up when needed.
The Department collaborated with Noor Laboratory, which provided free HbA1C testing, an essential indicator of long-term blood glucose control. In addition, the Diet Nutrition Center supported the event by offering free body composition analyses. Trained students and supervisors interpreted the test results on-site and offered medical advice and practical guidance on diabetes prevention, lifestyle modification, and healthy daily habits.
Another important part of the event involved contributions from Dr. Rand Beauty Center, Queen Art Beauty Clinic, and Givand Company. These partners offered complimentary facial analyses and provided discounts of up to 50% on various services, including skin and personal care treatments, for both Cihan University–Erbil students and members of the public who participated in the screenings.
The event ended successfully, and visitors expressed their appreciation for the university’s efforts in promoting community health. This initiative highlighted the important role of Biomedical Sciences students in raising public awareness and demonstrated the university’s ongoing commitment to preventive healthcare and community engagement.
A group of students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil participated in the Autism Support Training session at the Emirates Autism Center in Erbil on Wednesday, November 5, 2025. The training, supervised by Assistant Lecturer Hero Ismael Mohammed, focused on enhancing the students’ understanding of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), promoting inclusive community engagement, and strengthening their skills in interacting with children with special needs.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by the Center’s Director, Mr. Basharan Jumaa Nadir. An introductory meeting was held to outline the objectives of the training, emphasizing the importance of calm, respectful, and supportive communication when engaging with children on the autism spectrum.
The students later received structured guidance from specialized instructors and therapists. They were introduced to the center’s educational and behavioral programs and learned key approaches for identifying individual needs, applying sensory-friendly interaction methods, and ensuring safe and comfortable engagement with autistic children.
As part of the practical training component, the students met the children individually, each accompanied by a therapist or supervisor to ensure emotional comfort. They distributed age-appropriate materials—such as coloring books, crayons, puzzles, and sensory toys—and engaged in simple, soothing activities designed to meet each child’s sensory needs.
Additionally, the training provided valuable insights for the students, who observed the unique ways in which children express themselves and learned the essential importance of patience, non-verbal communication, and emotional sensitivity when interacting with autistic individuals. They also developed a deeper appreciation for the remarkable dedication demonstrated by parents and caregivers.
Finally, Mr. Basharan expressed his appreciation for the students’ participation and their commitment to learning effective strategies for supporting children with ASD.
A group of third-stage students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil organized a motivational visit to the Erbil Thalassemia Center on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The activity was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Merza Hamza Homady.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by Mr. Muhammed Abdulla Bndyan, Director and Supervisor of the Erbil Thalassemia Center. Mr. Muhammed then introduced the center’s mission and explained the procedures for patient reception and follow-up.
During the visit, the students met with patients undergoing blood transfusions and engaged them in conversations to offer emotional encouragement and support. To further motivate the patients, they presented small gifts and shared health-related guidance, particularly on maintaining a nutritious diet beneficial for individuals with thalassemia. They also emphasized the importance of avoiding foods that could negatively affect iron levels and overall blood health.
As part of their educational outreach, the students distributed small portions of black raisins to demonstrate proper dietary moderation and highlight their nutritional value when consumed in controlled amounts.
At the conclusion of the visit, Mr. Muhammed Abdulla expressed his appreciation to the students for their thoughtful initiative. The students then thanked the center’s management for the opportunity to contribute to patient motivation and community health awareness.
