Four talented students from the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) under the Academic Preparatory Program recently demonstrated exceptional skills and innovation at the iWISE International Competition, held at the University of Surrey, United Kingdom, from August 3–8, 2025. 

The AUIS team that proudly walked away with one Gold Medal and two Bronze Medals are:  Zainulabdeen Ali, Abduljabar Ali, Shkar Shakhawan, and Mohammed Sleman from the Academic Preparatory Program (APP) department, under the supervision of APP Instructor Aween Omer Ali.

The five-day international competition brought together students from across the globe to showcase their innovations and talents. Following two intensive judging sessions, the AUIS team competed in STEM and Photography categories, achieving outstanding results with one Gold Medal and two Bronze Medals, a remarkable accomplishment on the international stage.

The trip extended far beyond competition participation, offering rich academic and cultural experiences. Students visited London's Science Museum, where interactive exhibits on engineering, space exploration, and technology enhanced their understanding of innovation and directly complemented their competition projects.

The Academic Preparatory Program (APP) prepares non-native English speaking high school graduates to enter the AUIS undergraduate program by teaching them academic English, critical thinking skills, and study habits. The APP, currently directed by Zimkitha Mpatheni, boasts faculty from USA, UK, South Africa, and Iraq with exceptional teaching skills to transform education, revolutionize English acquisition, and academic competence for all its students.  Click on this link to find out more about the APP program.  
https://auis.edu.krd/index.php/about-app