Catholic University of Erbil celebrates graduation of 25 students, emphasizes coexistence and scholarships for minorities

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq — In a ceremony attended by President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) Masrour Barzani and Chaldean Archbishop of Erbil Bashar Warda, the Catholic University of Erbil celebrated the graduation of 25 of its students.

The graduation ceremony attracted a diverse audience comprising political leaders, religious and diplomatic figures, dedicated faculty members, and the families of the graduates. Among the graduates were students displaced from Chaldean–Syriac–Assyrian and Yezidi communities, uprooted from their homes by the Islamic State (ISIS).

The ceremony commenced with a welcome delivered by Archbishop Warda, who not only founded the University but also serves as the chairman of its board of trustees. Archbishop Warda expressed his heartfelt joy at the graduates’ accomplishments and highlighted the pivotal role played by the University in fostering development, even amidst the turbulent times and challenges that have beset the nation.

President Barzani emphasized the utmost importance of coexistence among the various ethnic and religious components of the KRI, acknowledging the need for unity and harmony.

The Catholic University of Erbil, established in 2015, has proven to be an invaluable institution dedicated to providing educational opportunities and scholarships to minority groups and displaced students. Comprising seven faculties and eleven departments, it offers a diverse array of programs to students, serving as a beacon of hope and knowledge in the region.