AUK offers over 70 scholarships to mainly females, minorities; reduces tuition fees

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The American University in Kurdistan (AUK) announced over 70 scholarships for mostly females and minority groups as it also reduced a percentage from the tuition fees for its students, according to a statement.

The announcement came during a press conference held at the AUK’s Mustafa Barzani main campus in Duhok, in which the university’s president, Dr. Randal Rhodes, addressed reporters on the details of the newly offered scholarships and tuition reductions.

The aim of the scholarships is “to support women and students from underrepresented groups who demonstrate the potential to succeed in the academic programs at AUK,” a statement from the university website reads.

Scholarships

Out of 48 scholarships, which are funded by the US government, 38 of them “will go to female students from lower-income families, minority, and underrepresented groups,” as the remaining four scholarships will be dedicated to male students from the same groups, the statement noted.

In mid-October, the US government donated $4 million grants to the AUK, supporting its academic performance and scholarship provision.

Read More: US government grants $4M to American University of Kurdistan

“The current scholarship program will further diversify AUK’s student population while opening the door to students who otherwise could not afford to attend the University,” Dr. Rhodes stated.

The liberal arts university also announced 25 scholarships, funded by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG), to students of the newly established Nursing College.

The AUK’s inauguration of Colle of Nursing is of “great importance not just for Duhok, but for Kurdistan and Iraq in general as we are currently facing a significant shortage of well-trained Nurses,” Dr. Nizar Ismat, Duhok’s general health director, stated.

Tuition reduction

The AUK also announced 15 percent tuition reductions for its students across all programs, starting from January 2021, according to the statement.

The discount applies to self-funded students, the university said, as they made the decision due to “the concerns of our current and prospective students,” the statement read.

The AUK was founded in 2014 as a non-profit, special status institution of higher learning and aims “to shape the next generation of leaders through its curriculum and exceptional faculty.”

Editing by Karzan Sulaivany