CHWARCHRA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY - CIU

The sun is shining brightly outside as I welcome you to the CIU. I am having a great time trading notes with friends who were off campus for the summer, and introducing myself to our impressive new students, faculty, and staff. The people at CIU make our University an exciting and immensely rewarding place to be.

Mission Statement

It is the objective of the University to produce graduates of responsible character with the necessary knowledge and skills for professional and national leadership. Students will be prepared for successful careers in a modern, pluralistic society and a global environment. The educational programs of the University will be designed to develop strength in critical thinking, the ability to communicate well, a strong work ethic, good citizenship and personal integrity. Broad-based education, rooted in the American liberal arts tradition, as well as skill development will be achieved at the University through teaching excellence, quality scholarship and caring student services.

Core Values

The core values of the University are freedom and responsibility, democracy, free expression and inquiry, equal opportunity, individual rights, tolerance, and honorable personal and professional behavior. These values apply equally to all members of the University community including students, faculty and staff members, administrators, persons invited to participate at the University, and members of the Board of Trustees and advisory bodies. The University is, by design, an institution that is non-governmental, non-partisan, non-sectarian, independent, not-for-profit and guided by the highest ethical standards. It is committed to integrity and the rule of law in all of its dealings with public officials and private interests. Academic freedom is a principle guaranteed in teaching, learning and research in a manner identical to that found at regionally accredited colleges and universities in the United States. The University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, occupation, politics, economic standing or any other common human demographic factor in its admission of students or administration of the University or its policies.

RANKING

CIU is ranked in the top tier ("Group B") of private universities in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq by the KRG Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which recognizes CIU as the region's top private university in alumni employment.

THE UNITED STATES

Academic programs, taught in the English language, are designed to meet or exceed accreditation standards set by regional accreditation organizations in the United States

IRAQ

CIU was awarded full accreditation by Iraq’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research (MoHESR) in February 2017 and is the first private university in the Kurdistan region to receive such accreditation after working for several years to meet the Ministry’s accreditation standards

Quality Assurance measures at CIU work to ensure high levels of academic standards and institutional performances. Our efforts are monitored by the Ministry’s Quality Assurance Committee to regulate and standardize ways to promote academic quality throughout the entire Kurdistan region and federal Iraq.

To support its mission of bringing American-style, liberal arts higher education to Iraq, CIU has set American regional accreditation as a key institutional goal. The Accreditation Steering Committee, in pursuit of this goal, will coordinate all committees, oversee all record keeping, and produce all reports related to accreditation.

Join us in growing one of the most prominent institutions of higher learning in the Middle East!

STUDENTS

TEACHERS

ACADEMICS

PARTNERS

Working at CIU provides the chance to take part in shaping a unique academic community and the satisfaction of truly making a difference in the lives of its students. We are a diverse community of students, staff, and faculty from over 20 countries around the world. CIU is looking for highly qualified individuals to take up the opportunity and challenge. We celebrate differences, encourage dialogue, and inspire discovery. Check for current openings and learn more about life in Sulaimani.

OUR PARTNERSHIPS

You may notice that our Facilities Management Department team has been working overtime (literally) to create several new state-of-the art laboratories equipped with top-line equipment and technology for our medical and scientific courses. This renovation work will continue during the coming year as we upgrade our campus facilities for “experiential learning” – learning by doing, especially to develop skills such as teamwork, communications, and leadership. New athletic and cultural facilities, including a new student center for meetings and the performing arts, should be complete by the start of the spring semester to provide new ways to learn and relax.

I am delighted to announce an increase in responsibilities for several of our longstanding team members. Dr. Robert Perrins is now Provost as well as Vice President for Academic Affairs, assisted by Dr. Tobin Hartnell, our new Interim Dean of Faculty. Dr. Barin Kayaoglu replaces Dr. Tobin as Chair of the Social Sciences Department, while Oliver Keels is our new Dean of Students. Dr. Rachel Gresk, formerly Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, is our new Vice President for University Advancement.

Recognizing the crucial importance of

The CIU Faculty Senate provides a forum for debate, so that the faculty has a voice in the administration of the academic side of the university and can advise the university administration about policies that affect them. Every full time faculty member at CIU is eligible to join the Faculty Senate. After the first year of service, faculty members are eligible to take on an executive role and serve as either the President, Treasurer, or Secretary. The head of the Academic Preparatory Program (APP) and the Dean of Academic Affairs are invited to join Senate meetings as ex-officio members.

For more details about how the Senate functions, please consult the Senate’s constitution.