AUIS Makes the Impossible, Possible!

Mahdi Murad hails from the town of Ranya in the Sulaimaniyah Governorate of Kurdistan. He graduated from AUIS in 2014 with a degree in business administration. He currently lives in Amsterdam, Holland where he is working for a well known multinational company. 

After finishing high school, I was looking for a program that would allow me to focus on more than one field of study. The liberal arts education at AUIS was a great answer to my search. I joined AUIS because I found it a far better choice than any other available to me. Not to mention, AUIS is still the dream university for any student in the region! I achieved so many personal goals that might have been impossible at any other university. I not only majored in business administration, but I also became a journalist, a playwright, and a sports lover through the various extracurricular activities that AUIS offers its students. I believe that the extra knowledge and confidence that I gained, along with my degree, has been really helpful to me in getting hired by one of the most well known international companies around the world – Cisco! After I graduated, I turned out to be a businessman, a journalist, a playwright, and a worldwide traveler who visited more than 30 countries around the world mostly because of AUIS. Therefore, I would like to leave a message to my fellow students and friends in the region and at AUIS.

AUIS and Connections!

by Hemn Mohammed

Hemn Mohammed 

To write about what is wrong with AUIS, a book, a collection of books or even a library may be required. We have read many articles about the cafeteria’s food or smoking issue, but the major problems that created a real resentment for many AUIS students and graduates have never been talked about in details. Every single student at AUIS knows about these problems except a small circle of people among the students and AUIS staff who think that they can disprove the existence of the sun by only closing their eyes.

 John Dolan suggested that the main concern for most of the AUIS staff is to make the most possible amount of money in the shortest time, he had a point,

A Kurd’s Journey to Baghdad: Accepting Our Differences

by Mahdi Murad

It was in March 2011 when I visited Baghdad for the first time in my life, even though I grew up only 300 kilometres north of the city. As an Iraqi Kurd, a member of a group that is ethnically and linguistically distinct from Iraqi Arabs, I live in the northern city of Sulaimani, which is part of the semi-autonomous Iraqi Kurdistan Region. Because of the ethnic and religious conflicts that have torn Iraq apart over the past decade, Iraqis from the Kurdish region rarely venture to the South of the country.

Evaluate Christopher Edwards!

Chris Edwards
Photo Courtesy of the AUIS website

Chris EdwardsThe Third Eye, this time, introduces its readers to Chris Edwards, an AUIS APP instructor. Mr. Edwards has joined AUIS community since 2009.According to the AUIS official website, Mr. Edwards, “… holds a Bachelor’s degree in Government and Master’s degrees in Theology and Teaching English to Speakers of other languages.”

Mr. Edwards has, by far, been one of the most visible faculty staff members among the AUIS community and various AUIS activities in the eyes of The Third Eye. We, The Third Eye, have also heard a lot about Mr. Edwards. Thus, we decided to dedicate a place in the blog for him.

The Third Eye looks forward to hearing constructive feedback from the AUIS community about Mr. Edwards.

To AUIS Community: Respect Patrick Cline!

by The Third Eye

Earl Patrick Cline
Photo courtesy of the AUIS website 

Earl Patrick Cline, known as Mr. Pat, among the AUIS community, has been in Kurdistan for about five years. He has contributed a lot to the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani community, students and faculty staff members.

In a brief letter, I would like to thank Mr. Pat for being such an amazing professor and would love to let everyone know how much I, who have taken many classes with Mr. Pat and is an AUIS graduate now, learned from Mr. Pat. I would never be able to thank him enough for all the great lessons he has taught me during my few years of being one of his students. I am sure almost every single student who has taken classes with Mr. Pat feels as the same as I do about him for his awesome pedagogy and his willingness to teach.  

What Do You Think About Mr. Geoffrey Gresk?

Photo courtesy of AUIS Website

The Thirdy Eye is pleased to take some moments and have Mr. Geoffrey Gresk to be evaluated by his fellow students and friends at The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. We prefer constructed comments, and we would be happier if commenters write their names when they comment. We would also  like to hear specifically from those who know Mr. Gresk and have had classes with him.

For those of you who do not know Mr. Gresk.

Unlike Politicians’ Kids!

Photo courtesy of Google

by The Third Eye

There are two distinguished groups of students in Kurdistan’s and Iraqi both public and private universities whose plans and opportunities specifically after their undergraduate schools clearly differentiate them from each other. I will use the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani students as an example to identify the two different groups and will do my best to support the argument with clear examples and evidences.

From politicians’ sons and daughters:

I will go on vacation for two to three months as soon as I am done with final exams, I will leave Kurdistan to one of the European countries after my graduation, I will study my master’s degree right after my graduation, my father owns several companies and I will be a CEO of one of those businesses, or I will do nothing because I have already achieved everything way more than what I need and many many more!

Fall Semester, Fool Ds!

Photo courtesy of Google

by

The Third Eye

Directly to the issue! AUIS professors, except few of them, harshly disappointed many of their students at the end of the fall semester. It seemed that they wanted to show their students and AUIS administration their classes were so challenging that didn’t even let the smartest students get not only As but also Bs and Cs.

The Third Eye both talked to many students and followed many of their Facebook accounts right after the grades were announced through Top School. Guess what? It was rare to see a student who positively posted about his or her final grades. Whose fault was that, professors or students themselves?

Some students blamed their professors for given Ds and Cs and even Fs randomly based on their moods when they were grading the final exams as the letters surprised many of them on Top School.

Fahrettin Sumer, a Star Professor at AUIS

by

The Third Eye

February 2012 was a shining moment for the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani when a smiley person whose face could only show respect and hard-working joined the AUIS and became one of the highlighted professors among the AUIS faculty staff members; a face that glimpsed not only a classroom of AUIS, but also the entire AUIS campus. Fahrettin Sumer, an assistant professor of the International Studies & Economics, is the one who gets credit for many candles that continuously brightens AUIS since ever he joined the institution in 2012.

The Third Eye feels obligated to shed the light of the astonishing effort professor Sumer has offered AUIS so far. The Third Eye walked around the campus and found some of those students who know professor Sumer and have classes with him. Unsurprisingly, whatever we heard from the students was words like, “Professor Sumer is by far has been the best professor I have ever known at AUIS,” said a senior business major. “I have never had any problems and difficulties with professor Sumer. He always teaches with his full heart. He not only teaches the course so great, but also respect us more than any other professors at AUIS.”

Some students said that they still have whatever professor Sumer has taught them in their minds and thoughts unlike some other courses.

Why Student Ambassadors for Peace (SAP)-Iraq Chapter?

by

Mahdi Murad

The Student Ambassadors for Peace (SAP)-Iraq Chapter is one out of many other SAP chapters around the world. It aims “to bring peace by involving young people at all levels.”

The Student Ambassadors for Peace is a non-governmental, non­partisan organization created to represent and empower students globally.  It provides resources, forums, and other tools through which students can educate themselves about the issues affecting humanity, discuss these issues with their peers from around the world, and translate their views and ideas for addressing these issues into meaningful action. In addition Student Ambassadors for Peace serves as a useful forum to voice views of the Youth about a range of national and international issues.

Mahdi Murad, a senior Business Administration Major at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani, has been elected by the SAP founders as an International Officer of the SAP in Iraq and he recently established the Student Ambassadors for Peace (SAP) -Iraq Chapter. As an International Officer of the SAP, Murad works to open as many chapters as he can in almost all the Iraqi and Kurdistan universities, both public and private institutions. The Student Ambassadors for Peace constitution states the International Officer as,

A Letter to the New President

Cartoon by Brwa Aziz

Dr. Moulakis, the current AUIS president is leaving. So, it is time for students to reflect on the new president who is going to come and lead AUIS. The question, “What the students expect from the new president?” should be asked before we welcome the new president.

At the first point, it is obvious that the administration has accomplished several very good things for AUIS such moving AUIS to the new campus, providing better planning for financial circumstances of the university, and re-establishing the boards of trustees. But, the next president should focus on establishing a better-communicated environment between the administration and student body. Students want the next president to be better connected to the students and be more visible to the student body.

To Professor Jim Owens: Thank you so much for leaving AUIS!

Jim Owens sits in his office
at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani
Photo courtesy of AUIS Voice

Only the tittle of this article should shed tears on your eyes and say, “What a terrible person I am.” We, a group of the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani who have taken classes with you before, must seem very selfish to bit you our fare well this way. People might assert that we are just horrible people to, instead of appreciating the time and all the contributions you have offered us so far, tell you we hope to never see you again. However, the question, “Why do we think about you that way?” should also be considered. There are many reasons behind that. Bear with us for a while please!

Power Play

by Mahdi Murad

Several students have made good progress toward forming a student government – however, the process appears to be inefficient. So inefficient , in fact, that this government or what they call, the student association seems like it will never be born. So what will be this effort’s fate?

The Voice did research to find out the answer for this question. It is unclear who is at fault for the constitution not being finalized yet. Some background: Four students wrote a first draft of a constitution for the student body of AUIS. The students were not elected but, rather, choose on their own to begin this process. In November 2012, these students submitted a draft to the administration. Revisions and discussion have been made by the administration. Now, according to the Director of Student Services, the students plan to openly discuss the constitution soon and even hold a referendum. If these final steps take place, this will be great; however, it should have happened before the constitution was written – not after.

AUIS Ministry of Finance

 Brwa Aziz

The AUIS Finance Department is a lackluster place for the AUIS students and faculty staff members. Alas, the Finance Department is not what it should be: it has weak customer service, cold relationships with its clients, and inefficient work performance.

The Department, unfortunately, has weak customer service; instead of seeking to serve others, they act superior.  Indeed, the Finance Department is famous among students for not communicating well with its customers. Employees, who work there, with the exception of one or two, act like they are elites and the top class at AUIS. The way they respond and talk to people, and the way they walk around campus bothers many. Today, the Finance Department is more about showing authority than performing their work just like what people experience in the ministries of government. 

Business Law, paradox at the heart of AUIS Business Administration Department

by Mahdi Murad

I am taking Business Law as a required course for business majors this semester. Well, I am very excited to take that course as I expect to be not only a businessman, but also a lawyer in the future. What a great opportunity! Who can be that successful person except for the AUIS students? Of course, very few!

It is the first week of this semester. I am very excited to attend such a wonderful class. Moreover, I am more enthusiastic to hold a huge and fancy book and walk around the campus expecting people to say, “Wow! He studies not only business, but also law.”  Give me a break, please.

It is the second week of this semester. What do you think I feel about that course? Do you think I am still eager to attend that class as much as I used to be at the beginning? Simply, a big no? And, there are several reasons behind that. Bear with me for a while, please.

Prayer Room Not a Threat to AUIS Secularism

The students seem to be very happy to attend classes at AUIS Campus as it houses comfortable conference rooms, lecture halls, computer labs, and classrooms. However, the campus lacks one of the most important places for many students: a prayer room. AUIS does not provide space for the daily prayers Muslim students must make-as other universities around the world do.

Many students and faculty staff members are forced to find temporarily empty classrooms to perform their prayers. It is difficult for the students to find a place without having to stare up and be looked down upon by across of other students when they pray. So, it should never be a problem a place on the campus for the university to set aside a small room where Muslim students and faculty staff members can pray without facing such problems. Since there is not a convenient mosque near campus where the students can go and pray, it is perfectly reasonable for the students to have a place on campus where they will be able to pray.

Young Adult Wasta

By : Brwa Aziz

American-style liberal arts education has begun to flourish here, bringing not only intensive academic curriculum, but also the extracurricular activities attached to it.  So many students participate in clubs, societies, and sports activities; others establish new initiatives at AUIS. This makes me proud as a student.  When I see some of the head of these clubs manipulating the titles for their own rather than student and the university interests, that pride . The AUIS Model UN club is one such club.

My Summer With IIPES

Mahdi Murad

By Mahdi Murad  
I participated in the International Institute for Political and Economic Studies(IIPES) at Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Chania (MAICH), in Chania, Crete, Greece this summer. Throughout the two-week course, I could successfully complete a challenging academic and leadership development program. Through the program – which included academic sessions, educational travel, and various academic and cultural activities – I learned a lot about various cultures, values and institutions.

My Summer with SHEP

by Mahdi Murad

During my final exams last month, I thought about how I should spent a month of my summer break before my trip to Greece. I knew it would be really boring to do nothing for a whole month. However, thanks to the AUIS Admission Office, I was offered the opportunity to serve as  a student instructor at the Summer Honors English Program (SHEP) at this month.

 I received an e-mail from the AUIS Admission office stating that, “this summer AUIS’s Admissions Office will be teaching its first ever AUIS Summer Honors English Program! The program is free opportunity for top English-speaking 12th graders to get free English lessons and learn more about AUIS!" I found the course really interesting and wondered how I could be involved. Happily, the e-mail also indicated that the Admission Office would hire active and experienced students from among the AUIS student body .Luckily, I was selected to assist one of the instructors and work as a student instructor.

The First Tears I Shed

Mahdi Murad(Ali) during the performance 

by   Mahdi  Murad

Photos by kait Taylor 

Before I went to the stage to perform in front of the audience, I felt that Noor was just a name of a girl, and nothing more! Between classes and getting ready for our opening night, I haven't exactly had the time to think about it deeply. However, I realized what an amazing name Noor was right on the stage, as I was acting. Every single word of the play meant Noor in my mind. Noor means light. Yes, it is a light that lightens every single dark corner of my home. As I listened to my fellow castmates on stage, every single word of the play showed me photos of the past. Usually, they were not pretty photos, and some brought tears to my eyes. It was even hard at times to say my lines.