On Tuesday, 25 November 2025, in recognition of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, two students from the General Education / English Language Teaching Department at Cihan University–Erbil, Israa Kayfi and Hawnaz Karem, visited Rwsak School to deliver an awareness session on violence and harassment against women. They were warmly received by the school principal, Shiraz Ahmed Hamadameen, and teacher Berivan Nury Majid, who expressed their appreciation for the students’ initiative and the important message they brought to the school community.
During the visit, the students delivered a well-prepared seminar addressing key issues related to violence against women. Their presentation explained the different forms of harassment, including physical, verbal, and electronic harassment, and highlighted the psychological and social impacts these behaviors have on women. They also discussed the legal aspects of these issues, including Rule 430, which outlines consequences for threats and harassment. In addition, they emphasized the importance of reporting incidents and documenting evidence.
The seminar further stressed the role of education, family awareness, and community support in protecting women’s rights and reducing harmful behaviors. The session aimed to encourage students to recognize the seriousness of violence against women and to understand how respect, awareness, and responsible behavior contribute to building a safer society.
At the end of the visit, the school administration thanked Cihan University–Erbil for supporting such meaningful activities, which help promote awareness and strengthen the culture of respect and safety within the community.
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in celebration of World Food Day, a group of students from the General Education Department Shewar Rushdy, Mazin Sherwan, Jumana Hasan, and Maryan Abdulaziz visited Barz Private School to deliver an engaging seminar titled “You Are What You Eat: The Psychology of Nutrition and Mental Health.”
The students were warmly received by Mamosta Rasty Ghafoor Fetah, the school principal, and Mamosta Mohammed Hama Amin, the activity and school website manager, both of whom expressed their appreciation for the students’ efforts and preparation. The school arranged the seminar hall and gathered students to participate in this informative and inspiring session.
The seminar explored the vital link between nutrition and psychological well-being. The students explained how diet influences mood, motivation, stress, and cognition, emphasizing the importance of nutrient-rich foods in maintaining optimal brain function. They also discussed emotional eating, which is often triggered by feelings such as sadness, boredom, or anxiety, and provided practical strategies to promote healthier eating habits.
The presentation encouraged mindful eating practices, such as eating slowly, recognizing hunger and fullness cues, and enjoying food consciously to support better emotional regulation and reduce anxiety. The students also recommended maintaining a balanced diet by consuming colorful foods, drinking enough water, avoiding excessive caffeine and sugar, and eating at regular intervals.
This meaningful activity highlighted the strong connection between mental health and nutrition, inspiring young learners to adopt healthier habits for both body and mind.
On October 12, 2025, students from the General Education Department conducted an awareness activity in recognition of World Mental Health Day, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Rozhan Ali Khdir. The students visited several public venues, including CMC Hospital, Rizgari Hospital, the Erbil Governorate Police Directorate, and Shar Park, to raise public awareness about the importance of mental health.
During the visits, they explained the concept of mental health and its significance in everyday life through the campaign titled “Your Mind Matters.” They emphasized that mental health involves how individuals think, feel, and act, and requires attention just like physical health. The team discussed common challenges such as stress, anxiety, depression, and loneliness, and shared practical self-care strategies, including talking about feelings, staying active, maintaining social connections, eating and sleeping well, and seeking help when needed.
At the Erbil Governorate Police Directorate, they were warmly received by Brigadier General Kamel Mohammed Baqir and Kefaah Hassan, the spokespersons of Erbil Police, who expressed their appreciation for the students’ efforts in promoting community well-being.
On Wednesday, September 24, 2025, the Department of General Education at Cihan University – Erbil organized a scientific seminar for fourth-year students at Al-Erfan Secondary School for Girls. The seminar, titled English Language Learning Skills, was delivered by students Zahraa Ahmed and Huda Haji Agha, under the supervision of Dr. Ahmed Abdul Aoun, Head of the aforementioned department.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by the school principal, Ms. Lina Hussein Barzanji. They later toured the school premises. During the seminar, they emphasized the importance of developing the four essential English language skills, namely listening, speaking, reading, and writing, as well as having knowledge of fundamental grammar necessary for language learning. They explained their points, supported by real-life examples relevant to the seminar’s theme.
In the Q&A session, they provided clear and comprehensive answers to all questions, which led to a fruitful discussion with the participants. During this interactive session, they also highlighted the curricula of Cihan University – Erbil, particularly the Department of General Education / English Language Teaching, noting that its academic programs are designed to align with real-world needs and are continuously updated in line with recent advances in the field of English.
The seminar ended with Ms. Lina expressing her gratitude and appreciation to the students for their outstanding academic efforts and wishing them continued success. The students also thanked the school administration for the warm welcome and extended an invitation to Ms. Lina to visit Cihan University–Erbil to learn more about its academic curricula and modern teaching methods.
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, fourth-stage students from the English Language Department at Cihan University–Erbil conducted an engaging educational activity at New Bridge High School. The event was supervised by Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen as part of the department’s ongoing commitment to bridging academic knowledge with real-world teaching experiences.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by Ms. Rawezh Ahmad Mohammed, the school’s principal. During the visit, they conducted a series of interactive learning activities designed to make English lessons more dynamic and student-centered. These included creating visual story maps, posing thought-provoking questions about story endings, and leading a “Moral Reflection” session, during which high school students shared the values and lessons they had learned through creative discussions and brief reflections. The activities fostered critical thinking, creativity, and English communication skills, making the learning experience both meaningful and enjoyable.
The event was marked by a spirit of enthusiasm and collaboration between the university and high school students, creating an inspiring educational atmosphere that truly brought learning to life. At the end of the event, Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen expressed her pride in her students and extended her appreciation to the school.
On Tuesday, October 21, 2025, fourth-stage students from the Department of English Language at Cihan University–Erbil delivered a series of seminars titled ‘The Effects of Social Media on Teenagers’ Productivity and Time Management’ at Snobar Public High School, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen.
Upon arrival, Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen and the students were warmly received by Ms. Nthal Haji Mustafa, Principal of Snobar Public High School, and Ms. Shilan Naseer, the Art teacher.
During the seminar, the students discussed social media addiction among teenagers, emphasizing how excessive use of platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook can negatively impact young people’s daily routines, academic performance, and mental health. They highlighted common causes of social media addiction, including peer pressure, the desire for social validation, boredom, and the constant availability of engaging content. The discussion also explored time management challenges, explaining how overuse of social media can lead to poor time allocation and difficulty prioritizing tasks, ultimately affecting both academic and personal responsibilities.
At the end of the visit, Ms. Shilan Naseer invited Assistant Lecturer Marwa Mahmood Ameen and the students to tour the school’s art gallery, where she showcased the students’ drawings and shared their artistic experiences. The visit concluded with expressions of gratitude to the school’s administration and staff.
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.
