“Cihan University-Erbil is a Beacon for Advancing Science, Education, and Learning in Kurdistan and Iraq”, says Professor Dr. Amjad Sabir Al-Delawi, the President of Cihan University-Erbil
On Monday, October 20, 2025, Cihan University-Erbil held its 15th graduation ceremony. The ceremony was attended by a representative of Dr. Aram Mohammed Qadir, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with graduates’ families, guests, faculty members, university staff, and students’ relatives.
On this occasion, in an important speech, Professor Al-Delawi extended his warm congratulations to the graduates and their families, emphasizing the historical role of the university, which he described as “a beacon for advancing science, education, and learning in Kurdistan and Iraq.”
Great Achievements: Innovation and Leadership
The University President stated that Cihan University-Erbil, as the first private university in the Kurdistan Region since 2007, has continuously been at the forefront of progress and innovation. In the academic year 2024-2025, the university took several significant steps. In this regard, Professor Dr. Amjad Sabir Al-Delawi announced:
- Supporting Students to Study Abroad: Sending groups of students to advanced universities and scientific centers abroad to gain new experiences and knowledge, especially in European countries.
- International Agreements: Signing numerous agreements and memoranda of understanding with international universities and scientific institutions, which has had a significant impact on raising scientific standards and providing better opportunities for students and faculty.
- Pioneering New Subjects: As the first university in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, it decided to add “United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)” and “Artificial Intelligence (AI)” as two independent subjects to be taught across all scientific departments. This step reflects the university’s orientation towards development and supporting society at a global level.
International Rankings: A Source of Pride for the University and the Nation
In another part of his speech, Professor Al-Delawi proudly referred to the university’s scientific achievements in international rankings and said:
- In the Times British Ranking (Interdisciplinary Science Rankings 2025): Cihan University-Erbil achieved the first place in the Kurdistan Region and the second place in Iraq, and among hundreds of international universities, it secured the 251st position. This confirms the university’s strong standing on the global scientific map.
- Cihan University-Erbil also ranked in Clarivate InCite for Research Impact: For the third time, it came in first place among all private universities in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region. Simultaneously, it ranked third among all public and private universities in the Kurdistan Region. The university managed to collect (1,076) WoS-indexed documents and (22,249) citations, which indicates the significant impact of its research.
On this occasion, Professor Dr. Amjad Sabir Al-Delawi expressed his profound gratitude to the faculty, staff, Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Directorate of Private Education, Cihan Group, and the Head of the Board of Trustees of Cihan Universities for their continuous support.
In conclusion, the President of Cihan University-Erbil expressed his hope that the Kurdistan Regional Government would provide employment opportunities for all graduates to enable them to serve society and the nation.
