PM Masrour Barzani Attends AUK's 7th Graduation Ceremony
PM Masrour Barzani will attend AUK's 7th graduation ceremony in Duhok, celebrating 93 graduates, including the university’s first nursing cohort. With 68% on scholarships, the event highlights AUK’s growing academic role in Kurdistan and U.S.-backed programs.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Prime Minister Masrour Barzani of the Kurdistan Region will attend the seventh commencement ceremony of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) in Duhok on Sunday, marking a significant milestone in the region's higher education landscape.
The ceremony, scheduled for 3:00 PM, will celebrate the graduation of 93 students, including the university's inaugural cohort of nursing graduates.
Prominent local and international figures are expected to join the event, reflecting AUK's growing reputation as a leading academic institution in the region. This is the sixth official graduation ceremony hosted by the university, as the 2020 commencement was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2020 and 2021 cohorts were combined in a joint ceremony held in 2021.
Graduates will receive diplomas across the university’s four colleges: Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Nursing. Of the 93 students, 18 have achieved top rankings within their respective colleges.
This year also marks a historic achievement for AUK, as 23 nursing students will receive their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees—the first in the university's history. These students were enrolled in a special full-scholarship program co-sponsored by Prime Minister Masrour Barzani, who also serves as Chairman of AUK's Board of Trustees, in collaboration with the United States Department of State.
According to data obtained by Kurdistan24, a remarkable 68% of this year's graduates received scholarship support, with 88% benefiting from full scholarships and 12% from partial scholarships.
Last year, on June 2, 2024, AUK hosted its sixth graduation ceremony with high-level participation from Iraqi President Latif Rashid, Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, and Prime Minister Masrour Barzani. During that ceremony, 68 students received degrees in Engineering, Business, Science, Arts, and International Studies.
Founded in 2014, the American University of Kurdistan has now graduated over 700 students across multiple disciplines. Many of these alumni have continued their academic journeys at internationally renowned institutions.
AUK is composed of four colleges and ten academic departments, including Business Administration, Computer Science, Interior Design, Public Policy, Media and Communications, Nursing, and Engineering. Accredited by both the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Federal Government of Iraq, AUK has established itself as one of Kurdistan Region’s and Iraq's most prominent centers for higher education.
The university employs English as the primary medium of instruction and follows a U.S.-style liberal arts education model. This system provides students with a broad foundation in humanities and natural sciences before allowing them to specialize in their chosen field, mirroring the approach used by top institutions across the United States.
