As the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) approaches its tenth anniversary, it is not just a milestone to celebrate; it is a moment to reflect on the significant impact of the institution on the Kurdistan Region, particularly through its alumni. 

The stories of AUK’s diverse alumni community mirror the institution’s commitment to quality education and inclusion. At AUK, our vision is to cultivate a dynamic community of accomplished professionals and leaders who embody the values of excellence, diversity, and service. We aim to build bridges of collaboration and inspire a legacy of positive change and development.

A total of 402 young men and women have graduated from AUK. Every year we are expanding our alumni network, offering graduates multiple opportunities to stay connected with their peers, acquaintances, and alma mater.

Spotlight on exceptional alumni

We also recognize the exceptional achievements of our former students with our annual AUK Alumni Awards. Launched in 2023, these awards promote a sense of community and pride among AUK graduates by honoring their accomplishments. It is also a chance for us to shine a spotlight on individuals who have excelled in their fields and have shown exceptional dedication to their communities.

The 2023 awardees were Kajin Khalil and Negeen Saydo, who received the Alumni Community Award for their outstanding accomplishments. This year, we are introducing an additional category: Alumni Service to Alma Mater, which aims to recognize the exceptional contributions of our alumni in supporting our beloved institution.

Growing together: the role of the AUK alumni office

Our Office of Advancement, through its Alumni Relations program, is dedicated to supporting the ongoing success of our graduates. Whether our students have recently graduated or are looking to advance their careers, AUK is here to help. Our alumni can take advantage of our professional development resources to continue to learn and grow. 

Our alumni program provides numerous options to stay connected with friends, classmates, and the university through annual events such as alumni reunions, career development workshops, business networks, and various other engaging activities.

Upon graduation, we provide alumni with email account credentials and ID cards, guaranteeing lifelong access to services, events, newsletters, and institutional updates. We also organize reunions to celebrate achievements, milestones, and shared experiences. With meticulous planning, we create memorable experiences for our alumni, creating a strong sense of community and engagement. Our recent 2023 reunion saw over 200 attendees.

In addition, we follow the professional journeys of our alumni, monitoring employment status and postgraduate paths to tailor support efforts and strengthen industry connections. Our career assistance includes promoting job opportunities and hosting networking events. 

We have also launched the Alumni Business Network platform exclusively for AUK alumni, promoting collaboration and celebrating achievements. At the 2023 reunion, alumni showcased their businesses in dedicated booths, and the network continues to grow. Additionally, we offer mini career-support workshops and collaborate with companies like JOBS.KRD to organize job fairs.

We are passionate about showcasing the remarkable journeys and successes of our alumni post-graduation and inspiring current students. You can find these narratives featured in our “Alumni of the Month Highlights” section on the AUK Giving website.

AUK alumni also enjoy a range of membership benefits, including exclusive event invitations to local and international events, discounts on professional development and language courses, lifetime access to our library and its extensive resources – both in print and online – and alumni document requests.

Through these initiatives, AUK is not only creating a sense of community among its graduates but also inspiring them to make significant contributions to society.