February at AUK

Students Move into AUK’s LEED-Designed Men’s Residence Facility

On February 14, students officially moved into AUK’s new Men’s Residence Facility, a six-story, 103-bedroom building with a maximum capacity of 183 students. The residence features accessible, double, and single-occupancy rooms, along with social areas, kitchens, laundry facilities, and landscaped outdoor spaces. Sustainability is a priority, with energy-efficient HVAC systems, LED lighting, water-saving fixtures, recycled materials, enhanced air quality, bike lanes, EV charging, and smart building systems. Designed to meet LEED standards, AUK aims for Silver, or potentially, Gold certification. The building contributes to AUK’s recruitment efforts to attract students from across Kurdistan, Iraq, and beyond.

College of Business Launches Guest Speaker Series with Dr. Constantinos Alexiou

The College of Business at AUK launched this semester’s Guest Speaker Series on February 26 with an engaging online session by Professor Constantinos Alexiou of Cranfield University, UK. Focused on “The Global Polycrisis: Navigating the New Normal,” the talk drew a sizeable audience of students and members of the wider community. Prof. Alexiou provided a rigorous analysis of the interconnected economic, geopolitical, financial, and environmental challenges shaping today’s world. The next session in the series will be on March 3, with Dr. Layal Isskandarani, Lecturer of Economics at Teesside University, UK.

No Elevator Day Encourages the AUK Community to Climb Like a Leopard

On February 11, AUK’s Office of Student Affairs organized No Elevator Day – Climb Like a Leopard, encouraging students, faculty, and staff to take the stairs as part of a campus-wide wellness initiative. Elevators and escalators were paused to promote heart health and movement throughout the day. The event also featured a Stair Challenge, where participants climbed from the lower ground floor to the second floor for a chance to win raffle prizes. The initiative highlighted AUK’s commitment to healthy habits, community engagement, and engaging the community in fun, active campus experiences.

Peer Health Advocates Promote Wellbeing Across Campus

AUK’s Peer Health Advocate Initiative empowers 14 students to promote health and wellness to their peers. Advocates lead awareness campaigns, workshops, and outreach activities, encouraging informed choices and healthier lifestyles. The students completed six training sessions over two months, covering mental health, physical wellbeing, nutrition, substance use prevention, and event planning. Using a “from students, to students” approach, the program reduces stigma, fosters open dialogue, and connects students to campus resources. The initiative operates under the Health Promotion Services within the Office of Student Affairs.

Friendly Match Brings AUK Community Together

On February 21, AUK’s Football Club hosted a friendly match between students and employees at the Duhok University Stadium. The students’ team secured a 2–0 victory. Congratulations to the winners and to the Football Club for organizing a fun event that strengthened community bonds beyond the classroom.

Faculty Spotlight: Dr. Mohammed Ali Namuq

Dr. Mohammed Ali Namuq, Associate Professor and Chair of Petroleum Engineering at AUK, brings more than 15 years of academic and industry experience to the University. Since joining AUK in 2020, he has contributed extensively to teaching and research in advanced drilling technologies. He earned his PhD from the Technical University Bergakademie Freiberg in Germany, where he received the prestigious Bernhard-von-Cotta-Preis for best dissertation. Dr. Namuq has authored over twenty publications, with research spanning mud pulse telemetry systems, hydraulic fracturing, casing milling, and intelligent drill pipe systems for downhole data communication.

Student Spotlight: Zalal Saeed Khalil

Zalal Saeed Khalil, a freshman Business Management major and Iraqi national padel and tennis player, earned first place in both the mixed and female divisions at a national padel tournament held February 12–13 in Duhok. Competing against top athletes from across Iraq, she secured a double victory—adding to her recent win at the AUK Female Padel Tournament. With 16 years of tennis experience and one year in padel, Zalal continues to balance competitive sport with her academic journey. She looks forward to representing both Iraq and AUK in future tournaments.