On Wednesday 3 November 2021, University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) held it’s 11th and 12th graduation ceremony in a historic eventful evening.
The event started with the march in of students, faculty and governing board members. A total of 145 students from the class of 2020 were awarded undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, as well as 194 students from both levels in the class of 2021.
The graduation ceremony was attended by His Excellency Masrour Barzani Prime Minister of the Kurdistan Regional Government, UKH Chancellor Idris Nechirvan Barzani, ministers, senior advisors, diplomats and other dignitaries as well as graduates’ families and guests.
After the march in and a moment of silence for the martyrs of Kurdistan, UKH President Bill Rammell stepped onto the stage to deliver his speech. Bill Rammell welcomed the attendees and congratulated the graduates on their achievement. “Few days in your life will compete with this day and profoundly shape your life. That also means that few graduation speeches like mine are remembered in the swirl of achievement and anticipation. “he said.
Rammell also thanked the Prime Minister for his commitment and support for education in the Kurdistan Region. “Your support for this University and education in general is an immense comfort. May I also directly thank you for your work in upholding security here. I often tell my friends in the U.K. how much safer I am here than in London. May I also salute you and your government’s commitment to religious pluralism and tolerance as well as reform to maximise the talents of all Kurdistanis. I can tell you as a former Foreign Office minister that the people and government of the U.K. are privileged to count Kurdistan as an ally and friend” said Rammell.
Later, Bill Rammell invited Prime Minister Masrour Barzani to address the graduates and the attendees. The Prime Minister congratulated the graduates and thanked their families for giving them support. “With your capacity, Kurdistan can truly become an economic, trade and investment hub for Iraq and the region. I truly believe we can do it. And I am committed to helping you achieve that” he continued.
The degree conferrals started with graduates of Petroleum Engineering and ended with UKH’s first ever cohort of graduates from the School of Medicine.
Shana Barwari, graduate and top student of Civil Engineering class of 2021 and Kiwie Tahir, graduate of Business Management delivered graduation speeches on behalf of both graduating classes.
The end of the ceremony was announced as the Governing Board members and senior faculty members marched out of the hall.
