Department of Radiological Imaging Technologies Students Carry Out an Awareness Campaign on Radiation Safety at Zhyar Preparatory School for Girls
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, second-year students from the Department of Radiological Imaging Technologies at Cihan University–Erbil carried out an awareness campaign on radiation safety at Zhyar Preparatory School for Girls under the supervision of Assistant Lecturer Asmaa Amin Ghareeb. The students were received by the school principal, Mr. Rasul Hamad Rasul.
Student Ruwaida Ahmed Shekha opened the campaign by introducing the pupils to X-rays and their uses in medical diagnosis. She explained that radiographic examinations are performed under the supervision of specialists to ensure patient safety.
Student Aren Ismail Abubakr addressed common misconceptions about radiation and clarified the differences between X-rays and imaging techniques that do not use ionizing radiation, such as ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Student Amal Abdulrahim Shandu explained the principles of radiation protection, including reducing exposure time, maintaining a safe distance from the radiation source, and using protective barriers such as lead aprons. She also explained the As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) principle adopted in radiology centers.
Student Avan Yusf Hamo highlighted the importance of informing the radiographer about any pregnancy or possibility of pregnancy before an examination. She also explained the procedures used to protect pregnant women and their fetuses, emphasizing that radiographic examinations should be performed only when there is a genuine medical need and based on a physician’s decision.
Student Ngin Soran Kashfadin concluded the presentations by highlighting the importance of keeping records and images from previous examinations and showing them to physicians to avoid unnecessary repeat examinations. She also emphasized the importance of regular check-ups and early disease detection, including breast cancer.
The campaign concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session during which the pupils asked questions about radiation safety, the recommended frequency of radiographic examinations, and the differences between various medical imaging devices. The participating students provided detailed answers to their questions.
