Monday, November 1, 2021 - 13:15
The AUIS Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (AEIC) at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) announced today the AUIS Innovation Awards (AIA), which will highlight innovation excellence in institutions in Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and put a spotlight on innovative solutions that have had a significant impact on society.
This announcement was made in a press conference in the presence of numerous local media outlets, members of the AUIS community, and distinguished guests from the Sulaimani business community who support similar activities in the region. AUIS President Dr. Bruce Ferguson warmly welcomed all the attendees and welcomed Sulaimani Governor Dr. Haval Abubakr, who delivered remarks and emphasized on the importance of this type of initiative.
AEIC Director Dr. Hemin Latif praised the new award, highlighting its goal to support innovation across the country. “For the first time in the region, an award will reward innovators for shaping our future and making our lives better. Innovators are often unrecognized,” he said. “The AIA program shines a light on outstanding achievements in all sectors and creates a platform for Iraqi innovators like never before.”
The AUIS Innovation Awards are made possible by the generous support of donors who include Qaiwan Group — an international company operating in Iraq and across the wider Middle East.
Daban Najmaddin, an AUIS alum and now the administrative coordinator at the Sulaimani Chamber of Commerce & Industry, also expressed his gratitude for this AUIS initiative in supporting more small business and entrepreneurs.
“The reason we, as the Sulaimani Chamber of Commerce & Industry, support this initiative is that we strive to see young entrepreneurs have their own businesses, and an organization like AUIS has been a bridge for those youth in guiding and supporting them in their businesses.”
He added, “I am sure this initiative will open new doors for so many entrepreneurs, and will be a path for them towards innovative business ideas, and AUIS is the right place to start from.”
Written by Ghazala Jango