On Thursday, April 8, 2024, the Department of General Education at Cihan University-Erbil organized a charitable endeavor aimed at assisting numerous families and orphans. This initiative involved providing financial assistance to orphaned individuals.
Dr. Ahmad Abd Aun, Head of the Department of General Education, oversaw the activity in collaboration with the Zereen Foundation for the Care of Orphans. Additionally, monetary aid was provided to the families at Judet Asadi Mosque. The activity, attended by Kanaan Sisawayi, Director of the Golden Foundation for the Care of Orphans, saw the distribution of 500,000 dinars to five orphaned families.
It is noteworthy that this sum had been previously collected by a group of students, along with contributions from students, teachers, and external donors. The initiative aimed to reinforce social values, engage in charitable work, and nurture connections within the local community.
On Monday, February 17, 2025, second-stage students from the Department of Anesthesia Technologies at Cihan University – Erbil organized an interactive and humanitarian visit to the Orphanage in Erbil. This visit, under the coordination of Mr. Sherwan Abdulrahman, the Orphanage Director, aimed to provide psychological and social support to the children there and foster a spirit of generosity among students through an interactive practical experience.
The visit was supervised by the academic staff from the aforementioned department. Assistant Lecturer Shatha Nasih organized the event and managed the recreational and educational activities to ensure a positive impact on the children’s psychological well-being. Meanwhile, Assistant Lecturer Hataw Najmaddin guided the students on ways to interact with the most vulnerable societal groups, emphasizing the humanitarian aspect of their future roles. Dr. Mohammed Amin oversaw the logistical coordination of the visit, provided medical advice, and supervised the distribution of gifts to the children.
The students performed their key roles in this initiative and actively participated in distributing gifts, which were prepared with the support of the department’s administration. Their engagement helped bring joy and happiness to the children’s hearts while allowing them to interact directly with the orphans. This experience enhanced their social awareness and reinforced their sense of social responsibility as future healthcare professionals.
Through such initiatives, Cihan University-Erbil reaffirms its commitment to preparing distinguished scientific cadres whose competencies extend beyond academics to include deep humanitarian awareness, enabling them to make a positive impact on society.
On Wednesday, February 5, 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein, fourth-year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil presented a seminar for 8th-grade students from Sarbasty School on The Effects of Unhealthy Food on Students.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by Mr. Mohammed Sourgoli, the Management Director of the school, who expressed his appreciation for the initiative. During the seminar, the students explained how excessive consumption of fast food and unhealthy diets can negatively impact students’ concentration, energy levels, and overall academic performance. They highlighted key health risks such as obesity, nutritional deficiencies, and metabolic disorders, emphasizing the importance of a balanced diet for cognitive function and learning efficiency. The session included interactive discussions where school students engaged by asking questions and sharing their own experiences regarding dietary habits.
The seminar provided school students with valuable awareness about making healthier food choices to support their academic performance and overall well-being. It also gave the university students a practical opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world setting, enhancing their communication and educational skills in community outreach.
On Thursday, February 6, 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein, fourth-stage students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil presented a seminar for the 12th-grade students at Hawler High School. The seminar was conducted by the students Fatima Azad, Zainab Ehsan, and Fedyas Mohammed.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by Ms. Trifa Mohammed, the hospital supervisor, who introduced them to high school students and expressed appreciation for their initiative. The seminar, titled The Impact of Different Types of Foods on Learning and Education, focused on how diet influences brain function, concentration, memory, and overall academic performance. During the seminar, the effects of consuming nutritious foods versus unhealthy processed foods were discussed, highlighting the importance of a balanced diet rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential nutrients. They also emphasized the role of hydration, meal timing, and the consequences of excessive sugar and caffeine intake on cognitive abilities. The session was interactive, allowing high school students to ask questions and share their dietary experiences.
This seminar raised valuable awareness among high school students about the relationship between nutrition and academic success. Such an educational activity also gave the three presenters a practical opportunity to apply their knowledge and hone their communication and presentation skills.
On Sunday, February 9, 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein, a group of fourth-year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil presented a seminar at Kurdistani Aynda Private School. The seminar, titled The Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on Health, was delivered to 12th-grade school students to raise their awareness of the importance of vitamin D in maintaining overall health.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by Mr, Zana Ahmed, who introduced them to the 12th-grade students and expressed his appreciation for their initiative. During the seminar, they discussed the essential roles of vitamin D in bone health, immune system function, and mental well-being. They explained how a lack of vitamin D can lead to conditions such as rickets in children, osteoporosis in adults, and an increased risk of infections and chronic diseases. The presentation also highlighted the natural sources of vitamin D, which include sunlight exposure, dietary sources such as fish and dairy products, and the use of supplements when necessary. The session was interactive, allowing high school students to ask questions about their diet and lifestyle habits related to vitamin D intake.
This seminar provided valuable knowledge to the students about the importance of vitamin D and ways to prevent its deficiency. It also allowed the presenters to enhance their public speaking and communication skills while sharing evidence-based nutritional information. The event contributed to strengthening community health awareness and promoting better dietary habits among young students.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, Naz Ahmed and Fidyas Ahned, who are third-year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil, presented a seminar at Ishik School for high school students under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein. The seminar titled The Impact of Sugar Consumption on Health.
Upon arrival, Mr. Mohammed Ahmed, the school supervisor, warmly welcomed Naz Ahmed and introduced her to the students, expressing appreciation for this valuable educational initiative. During the seminar, Naz Ahmed explained how high sugar consumption contributes to obesity, diabetes, tooth decay, and energy crashes. She also highlighted the impact of sugary drinks and processed foods on concentration, mood, and overall academic performance. The seminar emphasized the importance of reducing added sugars in the diet and choosing healthier alternatives such as natural sweeteners, whole fruits, and balanced meals. She also provided practical tips on how to identify hidden sugars in packaged foods and make better choices when selecting snacks and beverages.
As part of the seminar, the students also had the opportunity to measure their Body Mass Index (BMI) to assess their weight status. Naz Ahmed guided the students through the BMI calculation process, where they recorded their height and weight, and used the BMI formula (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) to determine whether they were underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese category. She explained how BMI serves as a general indicator of health but also noted its limitations, emphasizing that other factors such as muscle mass, activity level, and overall lifestyle must be considered when evaluating one’s health status.
The session concluded with an open discussion where students asked questions about daily sugar consumption, healthy diet planning, and ways to reduce sugar cravings. Many students expressed interest in adopting healthier dietary habits and showed enthusiasm for learning more about the impact of nutrition on overall health. The seminar not only enhanced the students’ awareness of sugar-related health risks but also gave them practical tools to make informed choices about their diet.
On Tuesday, February 11, 2025, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein, third-year students Naz Ahmed and Fidyas Ahmed from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil delivered a seminar at NTI Institute for students and staff. The seminar, titled “The Link Between Nutrition and Mental Health,” explored the impact of dietary habits on brain function, mood regulation, and overall mental well-being.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by Miss Aryan Kamaran, the institute’s supervisor, who introduced them to the attendees and commended their efforts in promoting health awareness.
During the seminar, Naz Ahmed discussed how deficiencies in key nutrients such as Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, magnesium, and amino acids contribute to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and cognitive decline. The presenters highlighted the gut-brain connection, explaining the role of gut microbiota in regulating stress levels and emotional health. They also examined the negative effects of processed foods, excessive sugar intake, and caffeine on mental clarity, mood stability, and sleep quality.
As part of the session, the students conducted a water intake test, guiding attendees in calculating their daily hydration needs based on age, weight, and activity level. They emphasized the impact of dehydration on concentration, memory, and overall cognitive performance, reinforcing the importance of adequate hydration for optimal brain function.
On Monday, February 10, 2025, fourth-year student Naz Ahmed from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein, presented a seminar at Shnarwe High School. The seminar, titled The Effect of Caffeine on Student Health, was aimed at educating high school students.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by Miss Chiman Ahmed, the school’s management director, who introduced Naz Ahmed and expressed appreciation for the educational initiative. During the seminar, Naz Ahmed discussed how caffeine, commonly found in coffee, tea, soft drinks, and energy drinks, affects sleep quality, concentration, and overall health. The presentation highlighted the potential risks of excessive caffeine intake, including increased heart rate, anxiety, dehydration, and dependency.
To make the session interactive, Naz Ahmed guided students in calculating their daily caffeine intake and discussed the recommended safe limits for adolescents.
This seminar provided valuable information on the effects of caffeine and emphasized the importance of mindful consumption. It also gave the student presenter an opportunity to enhance public speaking and teaching skills, while encouraging attendees to make healthier choices regarding their caffeine consumption.
On Wednesday, February 12, 2025, a group of fourth-year students from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Cihan University-Erbil presented a seminar titled ‘The Link Between Diet and Immunity’ at Sarwaran High School under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein.
Upon arrival, the students were warmly received by Mr. Ahmed Ali, the school supervisor, who introduced them to the attendees and expressed appreciation for their efforts in promoting health awareness. During the seminar, they explained how essential nutrients such as vitamins C, D, and E, zinc, and antioxidants contribute to a strong immune response. They discussed the negative impact of poor dietary habits, including excessive sugar intake, processed foods, and nutritional deficiencies, which can weaken immunity and make the body more susceptible to infections. The seminar also highlighted the importance of a well-balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains to support immune health.
To make the session more interactive, they involved the audience in discussions on practical steps to improve diet for strong immunity, including the role of hydration, the impact of gut health on immunity, and the benefits of meal planning. The seminar concluded with an open Q&A session, where students asked questions about the effects of fasting on immunity, how stress influences immune function, and ways to boost immunity naturally.
This seminar provided high school students with essential knowledge about the relationship between diet and immune health, equipping them with practical tools to make informed dietary choices. It also allowed the presenters to enhance their public speaking and communication skills while inspiring younger students to adopt healthier eating habits to strengthen their immunity and overall well-being.
On Thursday, February 13, 2025, as part of its commitment to academic outreach, students from the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at Cihan University-Erbil presented an insightful seminar at Nasr High School under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Mohammed M. Hussein.
Upon arrival, they were warmly received by Ms. Rana Mohammed, the school supervisor, who introduced them to the attendees and expressed appreciation for their efforts in promoting health awareness.
During the seminar, the students discussed the link between poor dietary habits and the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and obesity. They explained how excessive consumption of processed foods, high sugar intake, and a lack of essential nutrients contribute to long-term health risks, while emphasizing the role of a balanced diet rich in whole foods, fiber, and essential vitamins in disease prevention.
This seminar provided students with a comprehensive understanding of how nutrition influences long-term health outcomes. It also offered the university students an opportunity to enhance their public speaking and communication skills, while encouraging younger students to make informed dietary choices to prevent chronic illnesses in the future.
