student services

  The Student Services Department at American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) celebrated University Sports Day on September 20, 2021 with different student-focused activities for students to participate in during the day and the coming year.   University Sports Day is an internationally-recognized event started in 2016 by the International University Sports Federation (FISU), and is recognized by the United Nations Education, Science and Culture Organisation (UNESCO).   Dozens of students gathered at the Student Services table in the cafeteria to participate in games of chess, backgammon, table tennis, and a tug of war competition. The AUIS basketball and soccer teams also provided sign-up sheets for students looking to participate in future intramural sports events.   AUIS has gained a reputation over the years for offering vibrant student life programming for entertainment and creating a sense of community among students who come from different backgrounds and even countries. Nearly all activities were put on hold over the last year due to the coronavirus pandemic, which also forced academic classes online. New activities scheduled for the Fall 2021 semester will provide students with a comfortable and safe environment to interact with one another and rekindle friendships.    Students were enthusiastic to sign up for new activities and shared their excitement.   “This is my first time participating in a club at AUIS, and I am excited as we did not have such activities in our schools and even in other universities,” said Kamiran, a freshman student in Software Engineering. “This is a very special thing about AUIS; it cares for its student’s mental wellbeing and sports like football reduce the pressure that we as students experience due to studying and taking several classes every day.”    The clubs at AUIS are not only for entertainment purposes though, sports clubs, for example, are a way for students to enhance their critical thinking skills through activities such as chess.   “Chess is a mind game, so it is so important for our students, especially here at AUIS, to [develop] strategies for their projects, and improve their critical thinking for finding solutions for their problems,” explained an AUIS student who only identified himself as Yahya. “AUIS clubs are special because [they are] a way for students to communicate and integrate more in the campus.”      Written by AUIS Journalism student Ghazala Jango

    The Department of Student Services held its Online Weekly Career Development Session on January 27, 2021, with AUIS alumni Brwa Ahmed, owner of Fitneess Gym in Sulaimani;  Shnyar Fayaq of Vim Foundation; and Hevar Bahadean of Maze App.   The three panelists discussed how their AUIS education shaped them and prepared them for their careers after graduation. "Aside from language skills...AUIS shapes your character and prepares you for work," Shnyar said.   Hevar offered three important tips for job-seeking students on how to stand out among other candidates, urging students to research the company they are applying to; prepare well for the interview; and keep their CVs clear and concise.   And Brwa urged local companies and organizations in the region to recognize the value of their employees as well as focus on developing business ethics.    The Department of Student Services launched its Online Weekly Career Development Workshop series on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 to help prepare AUIS students to launch their careers on the right foot once they graduate.     

    The women's dormitory at AUIS held a PUBG tournament on the evening of February 22, 2019. Nearly 20 male and female student residents participated in the competition hosted in the women's dorms' first floor recreation room. PUBG, or PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds, is a popular multiplayer online game. Tickets to City Cinema and an AUIS t-shirt were awarded to the wining players.    The Student Services department at AUIS regularly organizes activities for dorm residents, including movie and game nights, as well as city tours and picnics during the Fall and Spring semesters. The department recently hosted a ping-pong and billiards tournament for male students on February 2, 2019.   

  The Student Services department held a tug of war competition on November 24 for dorm residents. The event was held in the female dorm reception area due to bad weather. Almost 40 residents attended the event and six 4-person teams competed in the activity. Winners of the competition were (l-r): Aram Ali, Rawezh Rebeen, Begard Sherwan, Mohammed Kamaran, Hussein Majid, Juman Museeb, and Hewa Sarbast. Each winner received a ticket to the local cinema.