On October 20, 2026 – The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) hosted the Spaghetti Bridge Competition 2026, bringing together 60 students from 12 high schools for an exciting challenge that combined engineering, creativity, teamwork, and critical thinking.

Organized by the AUIS Engineering Department in collaboration with the ACI AUIS Student Chapter, the competition challenged students to design and construct bridges using only spaghetti and glue, applying engineering principles to create structures capable of supporting weight.

More than a competition, the event served as a bridge between academic knowledge, essential soft skills, and real-world experience. Through hands-on learning, students developed problem-solving abilities, strengthened their communication and teamwork skills, and experienced the importance of innovation, adaptability, and perseverance.

Celebrating the Winners

Following an exciting series of bridge tests, Kurd Genius High School 2 secured first place, earning gold medals, a recognition plaque, and a 25% tuition discount for each winning team member upon admission to the AUIS Engineering program.

US Girls High School and Znar High School shared second place, while Shahid Jabar High School secured third place.

The remaining rankings were:

4th: Zanst High School
5th: Sheerin High School for Girls
6th: Sulaimania International Educational Complex (Public)
7th: The British International School of Sulaymaniyah
8th: Cedars International School – Sulaimanyah Branch
9th: The International School of Choueifat – Sulaimani
10th: Shnyar High School
11th: École Internationale Française Danielle Mitterrand

Building Skills Beyond the Classroom

The competition reflected AUIS's commitment to experiential learning and fostering meaningful connections between education and practical experience. By encouraging students to transform ideas into tangible solutions, AUIS continues to inspire the next generation of engineers and empower young minds with the knowledge, confidence, and skills needed to address real-world challenges.

At AUIS, education is not only about acquiring knowledge but also about learning how to apply it, collaborate with others, and turn ideas into meaningful achievements.