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.
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in observance of Global Handwashing Day, students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil conducted a health awareness activity at Zaga Primary School for Girls in the Ankawa district, under the supervision of A.L. Zahraakhan Maaroof Taher.
The students were warmly received by Ms. Anita Zadwq Adam, the school principal. In the school hall, they interacted with pupils from Grades 3 to 5, explaining the importance of Global Handwashing Day and proper hand hygiene. They emphasized the need to wash hands, especially before meals, and explained how microbes can be transmitted through touch.
As part of the activity, they distributed disinfectants and soap to the pupils and demonstrated proper handwashing techniques to effectively eliminate harmful microbes.
At the conclusion of the event, Ms. Anita expressed her gratitude to the students, while the students, on behalf of the department, thanked the principal for her warm welcome.
On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, the third-stage students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil organized a charity activity at the Bahoz Center under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Hero Ismael Mohammed.
The students were warmly welcomed by Mr. Hemin Jalal Mustafa, Director of the Bahoz Center, who introduced them to the center’s mission and services. He guided them on a tour and explained the specialized units that provide training and therapy for children with developmental delays, autism, speech and behavioral disorders, and cerebral palsy. Mr. Hemin also highlighted the psychological support offered to families, emphasizing the center’s comprehensive approach to rehabilitation.
During the visit, the students presented the children with educational and logical games carefully selected to suit their developmental levels, aiming to enhance cognitive and social interaction. As a gesture of appreciation, the students also offered flowers to the center’s staff in recognition of their dedication and outstanding efforts in supporting children with special needs.
In his remarks, Mr. Hemin Jalal Mustafa expressed his gratitude to the students and the Department of Biomedical Sciences for their thoughtful visit and kind gestures. He emphasized that such initiatives promote community engagement, encourage compassion, and strengthen collaboration between academic institutions and social service organizations. He also noted that the students’ presence brought joy and smiles to the children, reflecting the positive impact of youth involvement in community-based activities.
As part of their community engagement activities, third-stage students from the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cihan University–Erbil visited the Erbil Orphanage for Boys and Girls on Tuesday, October 14, 2025. The visit was organized under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Bakhtawar Ziad Omar.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by Mrs. Deman Mohammed Bayiz, Director of the Girls’ Orphanage. She guided the students on a tour of the facility, where they interacted with the children and learned about the residents’ daily lives and needs.
During the visit, the students donated various essential items, including clothing for different age groups, art and handicraft materials, and school supplies, aiming to support the children’s educational and creative development.
Mrs. Deman expressed her gratitude to the students for their thoughtful contributions and compassionate initiative. In turn, the students thanked her for welcoming them and providing the opportunity to participate in such a meaningful community service experience.
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, a group of Biomedical Sciences Department students from Cihan University – Erbil conducted a breast cancer awareness campaign under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Hero Ismail Mohammed.
This activity involved the students visiting several locations across Erbil city, including Golan Mall and a number of restaurants. During the campaign, they distributed informative posters and brochures to the public, including passersby and shopkeepers. Additionally, they provided them with initial information on methods of preventing breast cancer and emphasized the importance of early detection through self-examination. They also stressed that regular examinations help women notice any visible changes in the shape or size of their breasts, explaining that early detection of such signs facilitates prompt medical evaluation and significantly increases the chances of successful treatment.
Importantly, the public, including social figures, expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the students for raising health awareness and serving the community.
