پەرلەمانی کوردستان
2019-09-22T04:08:17.000000Z
Duhok, Kurdistan Region, 19 September 2019
President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani attended the first commencement ceremony of the American University of Kurdistan graduating Class of 2019. The ceremony was also attended by Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, Iraq’s Speaker of Council of Representatives, Mohammed Al-Halbousi, Iraq’s Deputy Speaker of Council of Representatives, Bashir Haddad, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, and a number of political figures, officials, and foreign diplomats in the Kurdistan Region.
President Barzani delivered the following speech at the ceremony:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Students,
Families of students, distinguished teachers,
Good evening,
I am pleased to be here today, in our beloved city of Duhok, as you celebrate the completion of your studies, graduating from university and starting a new chapter in your life. I congratulate you and wish you all the success.
I also congratulate the parents of the first graduating class of students at the American University of Kurdistan. As a result of their efforts, today we see these successful students here. I extend my appreciation to the lecturers, the presidency of the university and its faculty for preparing the students using a state-of-the-art system that helped them gain important scientific knowledge, as they graduate from a contemporary university and set out to land jobs to serve Kurdistan.
I would like to commend Masrour Barzani for his vision to establish this university.
Dear graduating students,
You have been lucky to have had a chance to study at such a university. Your parents were not as fortunate as you. They struggled to ensure better opportunities for future generations. Hence, we should respect and honor the struggle of all Peshmergas and every dedicated citizen of our country, because Kurdistan’s achievements are the result of their sacrifices.
You have passed an important stage of life and an even more important stage is waiting for you, which is the stage of serving and developing your country. It is the stage of proving yourselves and showcasing your personalities. A stage that awaits you to demonstrate your skills, capabilities in serving your nation effectively, participating in the development of society and thinking creatively to ensure a brighter future for our country.
I hope all of you will find job opportunities. First, you should consider serious and productive jobs, not titles and posts. It is within your career, high posts are waiting ahead. I urge all companies to provide job opportunities to the best of their ability for the new generation of Kurdistan.
Dear students,
Our main goals have been improving our education and health sector. We believe that these two domains are the main pillars of development for any society. Hence, we have been supporting many projects in these fields. We consider this as our duty because we want to see your generation and future ones live in prosperity. For this reason, we saw it as our duty to support the American University of Kurdistan.
Now, I am very pleased to see the outcome of these projects. I see multilingual and intelligent children in our country. I feel very contented when I see highly educated, well-spoken, well-mannered graduating students in Kurdistan. We are also pleased to see a generation that is well informed about climate change and cares deeply about preserving the environment. I am happy to see a confident generation emerging that shows faith in its country.
Such a generation will become the force that propels the society forward in politics and the administration of Kurdistan. You will drive the political parties, politicians and officials to develop themselves.
Dear graduating students,
Having accomplished your studies at such an important scientific institution, we expect you to be equipped with a forward-thinking mind-set with a vast amount of knowledge for serving your people. Your parents, relatives and country are counting on you as they have invested in you.
It is true if Compared to the past, we have accomplished developments .We achieved significant progress in building roads, tunnels, buildings, malls, parks, airports and various other construction projects. It is true that the current Kurdistan is not the same Kurdistan as 15 or 20 years ago. However, as it has been established in most developed countries, the number one real progress comes with developing the human capital and improving their skills and knowledge.
Thinking has always been the backbone for development of the world and it will remain this way. What we have achieved so far in Kurdistan’s education sector, such as establishing new universities and developing older universities so they adapt to the current advancements of life and technology is a good start, however, we have more goals to achieve ahead of us.
From now on, improving and developing this process will be your duty. You raise the bar of the intelligence level to a whole new stage in Kurdistan. Through your skills, you can bring about change in the actions and attitudes of the society of Kurdistan.
Developing and investing in the natural resources and utilizing it in the construction and development of our country and society is incredibly important. We should also influence the power of thinking, the human natural abilities should not be ignored. One of the main assets of the human being and its brain is thinking. Nothing is more powerful than the brain of human beings.
Here is an example:
Some years ago, at the outset of our relations with some countries, I paid an official visit to South Korea. During its division, the country witnessed war, devastation, failed economy and even starvation. Many local and foreign forces were involved in the devastation of the country. After the war came to end and following political and economic changes, two strikingly different countries emerged from North and South of Korea.
What was very noticeable from the experience of South Korea is that if a country can focus on their education system and acknowledge that their most important asset is the intelligence of their people, this country could overcome all adversities and can prosper to compete with the most developed and powerful countries in the world.
But the question that begs to be asked is what are the reasons behind the success of that nation?
When we saw some companies of that country, from their way of working, we understood that their system of education from primary, through preparatory to high education is the key in their economic, political, social and technological success. Today if you travel anywhere in the world, you will rarely find a home or an office without having products imported from South Korea.
Today, South Korea’s economy is placed within the leading economies in the world.
Dear students,
As you and your colleagues graduate from university, each one of you will become a pioneer in their field of specialty; from now on, it is your duty to exercise your intelligence and skills to influence science.
Think and innovate. Think and change lives and your society for the better.
The goal of higher education is to prepare a new generation enriched with experience, awareness and an adequate level of science and to untimely prepare them for the world. Fulfilling the requirements of your country’s development and catching up with the advancement of the world is your duty and responsibility. Creating opportunities and favorable conditions for you are our duties, as this very university is one of them, and I hope there will be more opportunities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to hear that the American University of Kurdistan is seriously working on developing human capital. Universities in the Kurdistan Region should have effective research centers and they should focus on conducting research. They need to participate in designing the future plans of our country and help the Kurdistan Regional Government. They should have effective participation in fostering universal values and sharing science and knowledge.
I hope that the American University of Kurdistan and all other universities in the Kurdistan Region, in their curriculum, pay attention to peaceful coexistence, compassion, tolerance, freedom, democracy and the conservation of our environment. I would like them to become a positive factor in maintaining Kurdistan as a land of tranquility and stability for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In order for the new generation to be able to propel the country forward, there should be political stability, cooperative and balanced management. We need to strengthen the political process in a more collective way. Aligned with this vision, we will strive to preserve the harmony of Kurdistan, and achieve an agreement with the Federal Government of Iraq. For this particular reason, I urge all political parties in Iraq and Kurdistan to support the Kurdistan Regional Government in the initiative it has started.
We, in the Kurdistan Region, have always wanted to ensure a good life, prosperity, development and well-being for everyone. We have always been trying to reach an agreement with the governments of Iraq through dialogue. From here, I once again reiterate the Kurdistan Region’s willingness to resolve the issues with the Federal Iraqi Government in accordance with the Iraq’s Constitution, and we welcome initiatives towards resolving the issues.
The experience and history of the people of Kurdistan with consecutive governments of Iraq since the monarchy until now, have proven that apart from dialogue, mutual understanding and agreement, nothing else is in the interest of Iraq and its people. We all should learn from the past and move forward towards a solution.
All Iraqi components should participate in the running and decision-making of the country; no ethnic group or component of the society should be neglected. Terror and extremism continues to pose a real threat to the area; therefore, cooperation and mutual efforts between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, neighboring countries and the international community are essential. The best approach to combat terror is by creating harmony and domestic cohesion in Iraq.
Also, it is the Federal Iraqi Government and the international community’s responsibility to support the stability and the progress of both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and replicate this stability and progress in the rest of Iraq.
Through mutual understanding, the situation in the disputed areas can also be resolved too.
Once again, I congratulate the first graduating class of the American University of Kurdistan. I extend my appreciation to the founders, lecturers and the staff, and I wish them all the success. I commend everyone who supported this university and I hope that their support will continue.
I wish the Kurdistan Region continued peace and prosperity.
Thank you again.
President of the Kurdistan Region, Nechirvan Barzani attended the first commencement ceremony of the American University of Kurdistan graduating Class of 2019. The ceremony was also attended by Kurdistan Regional Government Prime Minister, Masrour Barzani, Iraq’s Speaker of Council of Representatives, Mohammed Al-Halbousi, Iraq’s Deputy Speaker of Council of Representatives, Bashir Haddad, the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, Matthew Tueller, and a number of political figures, officials, and foreign diplomats in the Kurdistan Region.
President Barzani delivered the following speech at the ceremony:
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Dear Students,
Families of students, distinguished teachers,
Good evening,
I am pleased to be here today, in our beloved city of Duhok, as you celebrate the completion of your studies, graduating from university and starting a new chapter in your life. I congratulate you and wish you all the success.
I also congratulate the parents of the first graduating class of students at the American University of Kurdistan. As a result of their efforts, today we see these successful students here. I extend my appreciation to the lecturers, the presidency of the university and its faculty for preparing the students using a state-of-the-art system that helped them gain important scientific knowledge, as they graduate from a contemporary university and set out to land jobs to serve Kurdistan.
I would like to commend Masrour Barzani for his vision to establish this university.
Dear graduating students,
You have been lucky to have had a chance to study at such a university. Your parents were not as fortunate as you. They struggled to ensure better opportunities for future generations. Hence, we should respect and honor the struggle of all Peshmergas and every dedicated citizen of our country, because Kurdistan’s achievements are the result of their sacrifices.
You have passed an important stage of life and an even more important stage is waiting for you, which is the stage of serving and developing your country. It is the stage of proving yourselves and showcasing your personalities. A stage that awaits you to demonstrate your skills, capabilities in serving your nation effectively, participating in the development of society and thinking creatively to ensure a brighter future for our country.
I hope all of you will find job opportunities. First, you should consider serious and productive jobs, not titles and posts. It is within your career, high posts are waiting ahead. I urge all companies to provide job opportunities to the best of their ability for the new generation of Kurdistan.
Dear students,
Our main goals have been improving our education and health sector. We believe that these two domains are the main pillars of development for any society. Hence, we have been supporting many projects in these fields. We consider this as our duty because we want to see your generation and future ones live in prosperity. For this reason, we saw it as our duty to support the American University of Kurdistan.
Now, I am very pleased to see the outcome of these projects. I see multilingual and intelligent children in our country. I feel very contented when I see highly educated, well-spoken, well-mannered graduating students in Kurdistan. We are also pleased to see a generation that is well informed about climate change and cares deeply about preserving the environment. I am happy to see a confident generation emerging that shows faith in its country.
Such a generation will become the force that propels the society forward in politics and the administration of Kurdistan. You will drive the political parties, politicians and officials to develop themselves.
Dear graduating students,
Having accomplished your studies at such an important scientific institution, we expect you to be equipped with a forward-thinking mind-set with a vast amount of knowledge for serving your people. Your parents, relatives and country are counting on you as they have invested in you.
It is true if Compared to the past, we have accomplished developments .We achieved significant progress in building roads, tunnels, buildings, malls, parks, airports and various other construction projects. It is true that the current Kurdistan is not the same Kurdistan as 15 or 20 years ago. However, as it has been established in most developed countries, the number one real progress comes with developing the human capital and improving their skills and knowledge.
Thinking has always been the backbone for development of the world and it will remain this way. What we have achieved so far in Kurdistan’s education sector, such as establishing new universities and developing older universities so they adapt to the current advancements of life and technology is a good start, however, we have more goals to achieve ahead of us.
From now on, improving and developing this process will be your duty. You raise the bar of the intelligence level to a whole new stage in Kurdistan. Through your skills, you can bring about change in the actions and attitudes of the society of Kurdistan.
Developing and investing in the natural resources and utilizing it in the construction and development of our country and society is incredibly important. We should also influence the power of thinking, the human natural abilities should not be ignored. One of the main assets of the human being and its brain is thinking. Nothing is more powerful than the brain of human beings.
Here is an example:
Some years ago, at the outset of our relations with some countries, I paid an official visit to South Korea. During its division, the country witnessed war, devastation, failed economy and even starvation. Many local and foreign forces were involved in the devastation of the country. After the war came to end and following political and economic changes, two strikingly different countries emerged from North and South of Korea.
What was very noticeable from the experience of South Korea is that if a country can focus on their education system and acknowledge that their most important asset is the intelligence of their people, this country could overcome all adversities and can prosper to compete with the most developed and powerful countries in the world.
But the question that begs to be asked is what are the reasons behind the success of that nation?
When we saw some companies of that country, from their way of working, we understood that their system of education from primary, through preparatory to high education is the key in their economic, political, social and technological success. Today if you travel anywhere in the world, you will rarely find a home or an office without having products imported from South Korea.
Today, South Korea’s economy is placed within the leading economies in the world.
Dear students,
As you and your colleagues graduate from university, each one of you will become a pioneer in their field of specialty; from now on, it is your duty to exercise your intelligence and skills to influence science.
Think and innovate. Think and change lives and your society for the better.
The goal of higher education is to prepare a new generation enriched with experience, awareness and an adequate level of science and to untimely prepare them for the world. Fulfilling the requirements of your country’s development and catching up with the advancement of the world is your duty and responsibility. Creating opportunities and favorable conditions for you are our duties, as this very university is one of them, and I hope there will be more opportunities.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I am pleased to hear that the American University of Kurdistan is seriously working on developing human capital. Universities in the Kurdistan Region should have effective research centers and they should focus on conducting research. They need to participate in designing the future plans of our country and help the Kurdistan Regional Government. They should have effective participation in fostering universal values and sharing science and knowledge.
I hope that the American University of Kurdistan and all other universities in the Kurdistan Region, in their curriculum, pay attention to peaceful coexistence, compassion, tolerance, freedom, democracy and the conservation of our environment. I would like them to become a positive factor in maintaining Kurdistan as a land of tranquility and stability for all.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In order for the new generation to be able to propel the country forward, there should be political stability, cooperative and balanced management. We need to strengthen the political process in a more collective way. Aligned with this vision, we will strive to preserve the harmony of Kurdistan, and achieve an agreement with the Federal Government of Iraq. For this particular reason, I urge all political parties in Iraq and Kurdistan to support the Kurdistan Regional Government in the initiative it has started.
We, in the Kurdistan Region, have always wanted to ensure a good life, prosperity, development and well-being for everyone. We have always been trying to reach an agreement with the governments of Iraq through dialogue. From here, I once again reiterate the Kurdistan Region’s willingness to resolve the issues with the Federal Iraqi Government in accordance with the Iraq’s Constitution, and we welcome initiatives towards resolving the issues.
The experience and history of the people of Kurdistan with consecutive governments of Iraq since the monarchy until now, have proven that apart from dialogue, mutual understanding and agreement, nothing else is in the interest of Iraq and its people. We all should learn from the past and move forward towards a solution.
All Iraqi components should participate in the running and decision-making of the country; no ethnic group or component of the society should be neglected. Terror and extremism continues to pose a real threat to the area; therefore, cooperation and mutual efforts between the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, neighboring countries and the international community are essential. The best approach to combat terror is by creating harmony and domestic cohesion in Iraq.
Also, it is the Federal Iraqi Government and the international community’s responsibility to support the stability and the progress of both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region and replicate this stability and progress in the rest of Iraq.
Through mutual understanding, the situation in the disputed areas can also be resolved too.
Once again, I congratulate the first graduating class of the American University of Kurdistan. I extend my appreciation to the founders, lecturers and the staff, and I wish them all the success. I commend everyone who supported this university and I hope that their support will continue.
I wish the Kurdistan Region continued peace and prosperity.
Thank you again.
