Cihan University – Sulaimaniya Leads the Times Impact Rankings in Sulaimaniya Province and Achieves National and Global Recognition

The Times Higher Education organization has announced the results of the 2025 Impact Rankings, a prestigious global classification system that measures universities’ performance in achieving the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations. This ranking is considered one of the most significant indicators reflecting a university’s commitment to society, the environment, quality education, justice, innovation, and other core aspects of sustainable development.

Cihan University – Sulaimaniya proudly participated in this esteemed ranking, achieving remarkable success at the local, regional, national, and global levels. The university was ranked first among universities in Sulaimaniya provincethird among universities in the Kurdistan Region, and 18th at the national level across Iraqi universities. This outstanding performance highlights the university’s institutional efforts toward sustainable excellence.

At the international level, Cihan University was ranked within the (1001–1500) global bracket among thousands of participating universities. The university competed in 14 out of the 17 SDGs and achieved a total score of 53%, reflecting the maturity of its development strategies and the integration of its academic and community-oriented initiatives.

One of the most notable areas in which the university excelled was Quality Education and Curriculum Modernization, earning it the Best University in the Region in this category, ranked within the (401–600) global band. This affirms the university’s continuous dedication to updating its academic programs, meeting the needs of both local and global markets, and providing a modern and inclusive educational environment.

This achievement is a result of the collective efforts of the university’s administration, academic and administrative staff, and students. It affirms Cihan University – Sulaimaniya’s leading role in supporting sustainable development and serving society, further strengthening its position as a prominent academic institution in Iraq and the broader region.

In conclusion, this ranking serves as a strong motivation to continue striving for further accomplishments and to advance toward building a sustainable academic and societal future that matches the university’s status and ambitions.

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On Monday, December 28, 2025, Rizgar Salih, a third-stage student in the Media Department at Cihan University-Erbil, discussed the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) by university students during a television program on Speda Satellite Channel.

The program, Amroy Speda, dedicated one of its segments to ‘The Use of Artificial Intelligence by University Students’. For this segment, the channel invited Rizgar Salih to share his insights. At the beginning of his talk, he stated: Artificial Intelligence is not entirely new, but it has now become widespread, especially among students, as it is a highly supportive tool that can provide significant benefits in education.

He added, Artificial Intelligence complements human work and advances society, but we must not forget that it cannot completely replace human jobs and professions.

Later, Rizgar Salih noted: University students should make the most of AI’s features, but they must not let it replace their own critical thinking. At university, we have various tasks and responsibilities; it is normal to use AI as an assistant to gather information or manage time. However, we must not rely entirely on it to complete all our tasks, as this could ultimately harm our academic and scientific development.

Regarding lecturers’ perspectives on students’ use of Artificial Intelligence he pointed out that many allow it, provided it is used correctly and within certain limits, so that students benefit rather than suffer harm. He also mentioned that many lecturers guide students on how to use AI effectively and responsibly.

In his concluding remarks, Rizgar emphasized that students must stay updated and aware of contemporary technological changes. Since the current era is known as the age of Artificial Intelligence, he stressed that it is essential not to remain ignorant of these advancements.

On Wednesday, December 17, 2025, on the occasion of Flag Day, the Department of Media at Cihan University–Erbil organized a field activity at Milli Market in the Newroz neighbourhood, under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Ahmed Jamal Hama Karim.

The activity was participated by students from both the first and second stages of the Department of Media. During the activity, the students distributed Kurdistan flags and informational brochures to citizens at Milli Market in the Newroz neighbourhood of Erbil city. The brochure content included information about the Kurdistan flag and its components, as well as the history of raising the Kurdistan flag for the first time by Peshawa Qazi Muhammad. In addition, the brochure referred to the 2009 decision of the Kurdistan Parliament, which designated December 17 of each year as Flag Day.

The purpose of the activity was to commemorate Flag Day, raise public awareness about the history and symbolism of the Kurdistan flag, and foster loyalty and national identity among citizens. These aims reflect one of the main objectives of the Department of Media in organizing this meaningful activity.

On Sunday, December 7, 2025, the Media Department at Cihan University–Erbil launched an intensive two-day training workshop on the university campus for students from various academic levels. The sessions focused on helping students envision their professional future and discussing modern methods and mechanisms that enable them to enter the rapidly developing and highly competitive media job market with confidence and competence.

The Media Department also welcomed Mr. Manaf Mubarak, Director of Projects at the German DW Network, in an academic visit aimed at enhancing students’ professional capabilities and connecting theoretical knowledge with international field experience.

During the sessions, Mr. Mubarak devoted a substantial portion of the sessions to technical and practical training. He provided students with a detailed explanation of the DPA application, demonstrating how to use it effectively as a tool for journalistic work and news coverage. This reflects the university’s commitment to equipping its students with the latest digital tools used in major international media institutions, ensuring the development of a media generation that is both knowledgeable and technically proficient.

At the end of the sessions, the Media Department expressed its gratitude to Mr. Mubarak for his time and dedication to the students. The department remains committed to opening doors to international media centers and providing more opportunities for students to enrich their journalistic experience.