پەرلەمانی کوردستان
October 30, 2025
This evening, President Nechirvan Barzani participated in the 2025 graduation ceremony for 526 graduates from the University of Kurdistan – Hewlêr. They were awarded university degrees from four different colleges.
During his address, President Nechirvan Barzani extended his congratulations to the graduates, their families, relatives, and educators, emphasizing the importance of education and knowledge in advancing society.
The President also acknowledged the vital role of scientific and technological advancements for the current and future development of the country, stressing their significance in enhancing the services provided to their communities and the country.
The following is a readout of his speech:
Dear graduates,
Families of graduates,
Esteemed teachers and attendees,
Good evening,
I am very pleased that we are gathered here to celebrate the graduation ceremony of the Class of 2025 at the University of Kurdistan – Hewlêr.
From the bottom of my heart, I warmly congratulate you, dear graduates. I also congratulate your parents, relatives, and teachers. They have worked hard alongside you and are part of your success. We are all proud of you.
Dear graduates,
Today is an important day for you and for Kurdistan. You are not only the 526 graduates receiving degrees from the four colleges of this university; today, you represent an important opportunity to serve and develop Kurdistan. You are the future of your nation.
Nineteen years ago, the establishment of the University of Kurdistan – Hewlêr was based on a clear vision:
To create an educational institution of high quality and scientific excellence that keeps pace with technological, economic, and political developments around the world, and contributes to the development of the Kurdistan Region. This university was founded on the belief that the future of Kurdistan lies in the minds of its youth.
The goal was to establish the best, not the biggest, university, an English-language institution where science and knowledge are combined with innovation. A place for free thought, openness, and critical thinking. A place to create youth who lead, who have the courage to make decisions, and who take initiative.
I consistently envision a bright and promising future for Kurdistan reflected in the eyes of its youth. These young individuals embody the hope and pride of our community. They possess a deep love for their nation and aspire to elevate their homeland to the level of developed countries around the world.
A university dedicated to learning, knowledge, and science. Its mission is to unite the finest scientific talents among the youth of Kurdistan, who understand that dreams and education pave the way to glory and freedom. Through education, these young people have the power to build a bright future for themselves and their nation.
Esteemed graduates, today does not mark the end of your journey; rather, it signifies the beginning of a long path toward your professional lives, dedicated to service, hard work, and active participation in the development of Kurdistan.
We take pride in the fact that the University of Kurdistan – Hewlêr is recognized among the best universities. Its graduates have continued their studies at leading international institutions such as Columbia, Harvard, Oxford, and the Royal College in the UK. With an employment rate ranging from 90 to 95 percent, and in some fields reaching up to 99 percent, graduates have successfully secured positions in both the public and private sectors.
I have always believed that human development and edification are the most important forms of development. While we can always stack brick upon brick to create structures, it is people who truly build and sustain developed nations and societies.
Ladies and gentlemen,
Despite the numerous challenges we have faced over the past decades, significant progress has been made in Kurdistan. Today’s graduates represent a fortunate generation born into freedom, while those who lived through dictatorship are acutely aware of the destruction, sacrifices, and hardships that have shaped Kurdistan into what it is today.
With a clear vision for the future and steadfast determination, we have developed a strong educational infrastructure in Kurdistan. However, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. Our education system must be capable of continuously adapting to the evolving needs and advancements of our time.
It should prioritize learning and teaching over merely obtaining a degree. It should foster understanding rather than memorization. It must encourage innovation instead of repetition.
The new generation of Kurdistan should engage in critical and objective thinking, ask questions, conduct research, and participate in open discussions. An open mind is fundamental to progress. Only a developed society has the capacity to critique, reform, and build.
Dear graduates,
Dear youth of Kurdistan,
You are the generation we envisioned when we established this university. You hold the potential to transform the destiny of a nation. You are the practical solutions to the challenges we face. You have worked diligently and successfully completed your studies. The mission of the university remains incomplete unless it connects to real life, societal needs, and the labor market.
The success of any university is measured by its impact on society. How much thought, innovation, and humanity does it contribute?
The university’s role is to cultivate a generation that believes in peace, strives for reform and improvement, and seeks solutions to societal issues. It should be a university that fosters true civilization.
We aspire for our universities to serve as the driving force behind the development of Kurdistan. They should consistently act as centers of knowledge, thought, and enlightenment. Nations are built through knowledge. The university is where thought is renewed, and individuals are the architects of freedom and progress.
Dear graduates,
The true strength of nations lies not only in their armies and strong economies, but also in their soft power, scientific achievements, cultural richness, diplomatic efforts, and their ability to foster communication and partnerships with others.
You are the heirs of the thought and philosophy upon which this university was founded:
A generation that upholds the banner of continuous progress and learning.
A generation that aspires toward the future and confidently continues the journey of development with accountability.
Remember, your diplomas are your contract of responsibility.
Thus, my message to you, to all the successful youth of Kurdistan, is this:
Become the digital generation of Kurdistan, the generation of knowledge and peace. A generation that intertwines technology with humanity, the nation with the world, and thought with action. Continue your efforts, for learning is a journey that lasts a lifetime.
Step into life and the world with courage. Serve as the bridge between authenticity and advancement, between aspirations and actions. Build your future and the future of your nation on the foundations of science, freedom, and hope.
Go forth and be leaders in your endeavors. Remain loyal to your values and to your message. Cherish Kurdistan. It’s your country. Look to the future with optimism.
Congratulations to the graduates,
Move forward and build the future.
Rise to the sanctity of your homeland,
Rise to the aspirations of your people.
Wishing you all continued success.
Thank you very much.
