AUIS Students Lead Cleanup at Lake Dukan in Sulaimani

The event was part of the APP Service Learning Program for the students to encourage learning outside of the classroom, as well as to develop the young students' critical thinking and communications skills.  "AUIS is teaching our students that learning goes beyond classroom.  We want to encourage our students to engage in the community in order to change their environment for the better.  I truly believe that our students are the key to a better Kurdistan," said Rachel Gresk, APP director, who also joined the students at the cleanup.

 

 

This year, the students decided on two service learning goals: helping refugees and those displaced by conflict in Iraq, and protecting the environment. Over the course of the last semester, the students have been fundraising and developing close partnerships with local NGOs for their initiatives. The lake cleanup is the latest initiative by the environment protection group, who are partnering with Waterkeepers Iraq (NGO) to find meaningful ways to raise awareness about protecting the environment in Sulaimani and surrounding areas. The students used a crowdfunding campaign to raise $1000 for the cleanup.  The volunteers spent the afternoon clearing trash and litter left by tourists and picnickers on the lakeshore. "We took part in this project because we want to save our environment and our nature. This is our responsibility," said Ismail Jamal, APP student and president of the AUIS Environment Keepers club. 

 

Another group of APP students has also raised funds to supplement the irrigation of public parks and newly-planted trees in Sulaimani, in consultation with the Sulaimani Garden Directorate, to find the best ways to preserve green space in the city. To that end, they have raised over a million dinars thus far to pay for water tankers, and are planning to host  a small event on August 27, 2016, to join in the watering of a park. 

 

About the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani

Established in 2007 as a not-for-profit institution, AUIS is dedicated to providing a comprehensive liberal arts education for the benefit of young men and women from Iraq, Iraqi Kurdistan, and the wider region. The University seeks to produce graduates of responsible character with the necessary knowledge and skills for professional and national leadership. The academic program, taught in the English language by international faculty, is designed to develop strength in critical thinking, the ability to communicate well, a strong work ethic, good citizenship and personal integrity. 

The growing student body at AUIS represents the region’s diverse ethnic and religious landscape as the University continues to the be the destination of choice of more than 1,600 students. Reflecting Sulaimani’s location at an international crossroads, Kurds, Arabs, Turkmen, Sunni and Shi’a Muslims, Ezidis and Christians, live and study together in an open culture fostering diversity and tolerance. Academic freedom is a principle guaranteed in teaching, learning, and research in a manner identical to that found at regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States. 

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For media enquiries or interview requests, please contact Bzhar Ali Boskani, media and public relations manager, at [email protected] or 964(0)770-4615-385.