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In the presence of the Representative of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, along with a number of university presidents and vice presidents from the Kurdistan Region and Iraq, deans of colleges and technical institutes, as well as researchers and faculty members from higher education institutions across the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and several Arab countries, the first day of the Second International Conference on Applied Research in Social Sciences and Humanities commenced on Wednesday, 8 July 2026.

The conference was held under the title:

“Smart Universities and Their Role in Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals Across Various Fields”

and under the slogan:

“Digital Transformation in Smart Universities... A Driving Force for Sustainable Development and Building the Future.”

The conference was held under the supervision of:

Prof. Dr. Ari Adel, President of Duhok Polytechnic University.

Prof. Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi, President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University.

Prof. Dr. Kosar Mohammed Ail Murad, President of the University of Sulaimani.

It was also supervised by:

Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Abboudi, Director of the Arab Democratic Center in Iraq.

Dr. Ahmed Majeed Al-Mudarris, Director of the Waei Center for Consultancy and Capacity Building in Erbil.

The President of the Sunni Endowment Diwan.

The conference commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a moment of respect in honor of the martyrs.

In his opening speech, Prof. Dr. Ari Adel, President of Duhok Polytechnic University, emphasized that the transition toward Smart Universities is not merely a technological choice but an essential necessity for restructuring higher education and scientific research systems in line with the shared objectives of sustainable development. She expressed his confidence that the conference would serve as an important platform for academic dialogue and a valuable opportunity to strengthen scientific cooperation and joint research.

On behalf of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Kurdistan Region, Prof. Dr. Sabah Ibrahim Wais, Advisor and Representative of the Minister, delivered the Ministry’s address, expressing appreciation to the participating universities and highlighting the importance of such conferences as a significant step toward strengthening academic cooperation.

Subsequently, Prof. Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi, President of Al-Furat Al-Awsat University, delivered the university’s speech, expressing his gratitude to Duhok Polytechnic University and the partner universities and institutions for their continuous support in organizing joint scientific activities. The opening speeches concluded with remarks delivered by Mr. Ahmed Jameel Majeed Al-Mudarris, Head of the Waei Consultancy Center.

The conference program also featured the opening keynote lecture presented by Prof. Dr. Alia Idris from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. This was followed by three parallel scientific sessions, conducted both in person and online across the conference halls of the participating colleges and institutes, with presentations delivered by:

Prof. Dr. Mohammed Jaradat, Ajloun National University, Jordan.

Prof. Dr. Saud Eid Mashhan,University of Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.

Dr. Manal Amer, University of Latakia, Syria.

The conference is scheduled to continue on Thursday, 9 July 2026, with the second day of the Second International Conference on Applied Research in Social Sciences and Humanities, jointly organized by Duhok Polytechnic University, the University of Sulaimani, Al-Furat Al-Awsat University, the University of Cordoba, the Arab Democratic Center in Germany, the Sunni Endowment Diwan, and the Waei Center for Consultancy, with the participation of additional researchers and specialists representing various governmental and private institutions from the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and several Arab countries.