Erbil, Kurdistan Region – 5 August 2026 — Ms. Ala Sherko, a Civil Engineering student at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH), achieved international recognition after her undergraduate research was selected as one of only five winning projects worldwide in the prestigious American Concrete Institute (ACI) S805 Undergraduate Research Competition.
As part of the competition, Ala presented her research, “Durability Performance of Geopolymer-Cementitious Mortars in Harsh Sulfate Environments,” through a virtual presentation hosted from the ACI Headquarters in Michigan, USA, on 5 August 2026.
Ala’s research was selected from a highly competitive pool of international undergraduate research projects, placing her work among the five winning projects worldwide. The achievement highlights her academic excellence, dedication to engineering research, and commitment to advancing knowledge in the field of civil engineering.
The research was conducted under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr. Jawdat Tashan, Head of the Civil Engineering Department at UKH, who attended the event in person at the ACI Headquarters and provided direct support to Ala during her presentation.
The achievement reflects the growing research culture within UKH’s Civil Engineering Department and demonstrates the ability of its students to compete and excel on the international stage. It also highlights the University’s commitment to supporting students in developing their research capabilities and engaging with leading international academic and professional institutions.
