ISHIK University has been one of the pioneer universities within the Kurdistan region to promote not only research but also interaction and involvement within the community. The university is keen on developing programs, including academically based community service, direct traditional service, and community development. Professor Dr. Ahmet Öztaş, the president, is targeting world-class research and development programs that would play a vital role within the community. Such role should consider engagement and collaboration with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that could facilitate for this process.
A proposal for such collaboration was suggested by Assistant Professor Dr. Ali R. Kattan who is a staff of ISHIK University and a member of the Together to Protect Human & Environment Association based in Erbil. The association’s Head, Mrs. Saadia F. Hasson is a veteran expert engineer with more than 30 years of professional experience. A preliminary meeting over lunch was held at the president’s office and many key points were discussed. It was agreed to initially prepare for a staff seminar in order to foster collaboration between the university and the association and present the outlines within a framework.
The seminar targeted sustainable development goals (SDGs) and how these goals can foster performance and innovation in the university with this regard. Mrs. Saadia F. Hasson presented the seminar on January 09, 2017 under the title “Building Community Coalitions to Prevent Addiction”.
The seminar started with an introduction about the Together Association (Together to Protect Human & Environment), its vision, goals and an outline about the experiences in working with many international organizations.
The seminar focused on goals of sustainable development: ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. The objectives related to this goal were deeply explained; which is to strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol. It also highlighted the need to strengthen the implementation of the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in all countries.
The seminar addressed the strategies of how ISHIK University could work towards building local coalitions that could contribute in achieving these objectives to address such issues. The university can become the pioneer in adopting & implementing the international standard of Social Responsibility ISO 26000 that are very much related to the sustainable development goals.
After the seminar, a small meeting took place at the president’s office with Prof. Dr. Ahmet Oztas President of Tishk International University, Dr. Halit Vural Dean of Engineering Faculty, Mrs. Saadia Head of Association, Asst. Prof. Dr. Ali Kattan, Dr. Reem Alrawi from Salahidin University, and Mrs. Ghaydaa Hassoon from the Association. The meeting addressed the horizons of cooperation and coordination & to develop an agreement between the two parties. This would open the door for the development and funding of world class projects that would be beneficial to the community, the students and the university.
Together Association is one of the pioneer associations in Iraq and Middle-East region that is a member of CADCA (Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America). CADCA has more than 20 years of experience and is offering its many training programs to community members of Ankawa Coalition in Erbil to address such issues by partnership with Together Association.
