Erbil, January 29, 2026 — The Civil Engineering Department at Tishk International University took a major step toward safer and more sustainable urban development by hosting the “Technical Symposium on Sustainable, Resilient and Earthquake-Resistant Structures” on January 28, 2026.

This high-level event became a key platform for knowledge exchange, uniting government officials, academic leaders, and leading industry engineers to discuss the future of infrastructure in the Kurdistan Region.

Distinguished Opening Ceremony

The symposium opened with a ceremony attended by key decision-makers:

  • Assist. Prof. Dr. Idris Hadi, Chair of the TIU Board of Trustees, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to serving society through applied science.

  • Prof. Dr. Sultan Abu-Orabi, President of TIU, highlighted the university’s growing role as a hub for innovation and research.

  • Dr. Agreen Abdullah, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Housing and Construction, stressed the urgent need for collaboration between government and academia to update building codes and enhance public safety.

Government, Academia, and Industry Convergence

The symposium attracted a highly specialized audience, including:

  • Technical delegations from the Ministry of Housing and Construction and Erbil Governorate

  • Prominent structural engineers involved in the design of high-rise buildings and mega-projects in the region

This collaboration reflects a powerful bridge between policy, research, and real-world engineering practice.

Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals

The event strongly aligned with global development priorities:

SDG Focus Area
SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals – Co-organized with UoS, EPU, SU, and UoR, with technical sponsorship from the ACI Kurdistan Chapter
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure – Resilient infrastructure through dissemination of new ACI 318-25 codes and advanced reinforcement technologies
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities – Earthquake-resistant design to reduce disaster risks and improve urban safety
SDG 4 Quality Education – Professional development and lifelong learning for practicing engineers

Key Technical Contributions

Experts delivered advanced insights into modern engineering challenges:

  • Prof. Dr. Bayan Salim — Sustainability provisions in ACI 318-25

  • Prof. Dr. Najmadeen M. Saeed — Forensic lessons from recent seismic events

  • Assist. Prof. Dr. Bahman Omar — High-rise seismic-resistant analysis workflows

  • Assist. Prof. Dr. Wrya A. Abdullah — Mechanical splices and high-strength reinforcement

  • Dr. Saman Abdullah — Performance-Based Seismic Design methodologies

Commitment to Structural Safety

The Civil Engineering Department at TIU continues to lead efforts in structural safety, innovation, and sustainability, ensuring that the Kurdistan Region’s infrastructure is built to last for generations.

Keywords: Resilient Structures, Earthquake Resistance, TIU Civil Engineering, SDG 9, SDG 11, SDG 17, Ministry of Housing and Construction, High-Rise Design, ACI Kurdistan Chapter, Erbil Symposium, Sustainable Urban Development