Sulaimani, October 29, 2026 — The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) welcomed Dr. Christian Oelfke, Consul General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Erbil, for a meeting with AUIS President Dr. Bilal A. Wahab. Discussions focused on the University’s academic programs, research centers, and events and activities that connect education with the needs of Iraq and the wider region.

President Wahab provided an overview of AUIS’s liberal arts approach to education, highlighting its emphasis on critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and preparing students for professional and civic life.

The meeting also covered the work of AUIS’s research centers, including their contributions to policy research, publications, and collaboration with other universities. Discussion touched on research addressing climate change, public health, and informal economies, reflecting the University’s engagement with pressing social and economic issues.

AUIS’s centers support a broad range of fields, including regional and international studies, entrepreneurship and innovation, gender and development, energy and natural resources, archaeology and cultural heritage, arts and culture, and Korean studies.

The conversation also highlighted the Sulaimani Forum and the University’s academic, cultural, and public events, which bring together students, scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to exchange ideas and engage with issues affecting Iraq and the region.

The visit provided an opportunity to introduce the Consul General to the breadth of AUIS’s academic and research activities and its role as a platform for learning, dialogue, and community engagement.