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 Did Students Say about Geoffrey Gresk?

by The Third Eye

Photo Courtesy of Google

Mr. Geoffrey Gresk, a teacher and Assistant Dean of Academic Integrity, was under The Third Eye Evaluation Page for about two weeks. His fellow students and friends at The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani said different things, mostly anonymously, about Mr. Gresk.

In addition, many students inboxed The Third Eye and expressed their feelings about Mr. Gresk. Surprisingly, when the Third Eye asked them to put their feelings on the post in the blog article, all of them said they were afraid of doing that as the university might know about them and they would face troubles by the university and particularly Mr. Gresk’s office. However, they asked The Third Eye to anonymously publish some of their words.

SAP-AUIS Chapter's Tolerance Walk: Photos Tell a Wonderful Story

by Mahdi Murad

Photos by AUIS Communication Department

Sunday, Nov. 24^th, 2013,- The Student Ambassadors for Peace (SAP)-AUIS Chapter,  held its first ever event at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani(AUI,S) and invited all of the AUIS students and faculty staff members to celebrate the anniversary of the International Tolerance  day .  

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!