On Tuesday, August 11, 2026, the University of Zakho held a graduation ceremony for students who completed the Access English Language Program. The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Prof. Dr. Diyar Abdulkarim Saeed, President of the University of Zakho; Mr. Fares Yuhanna Balius, Deputy Head of the Independent Administration of Zakho; Mr. Zakaria Bazi, Director of Amidst Organization; Mr. Reving Mazouri, Education and Higher Education Advisor at the U.S. Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region; along with the university’s assistants to the President, the Director of International Relations, and the students’ families and relatives.

The Access program was implemented by Amidst Organization with support from a grant provided by the U.S. Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region, in cooperation with the University of Zakho. Over more than two years, the program supported more than 72 students from grades 7 and 8 through specialized English language classes.

In addition to English instruction, students took part in a range of activities designed to help them develop their personal, educational, and technological skills. The program also encouraged students to learn more about volunteer work and provided opportunities to take part in educational trips and other activities outside the classroom.

The graduation ceremony was a special occasion to celebrate the students’ hard work and achievements. It also highlighted the positive impact of cooperation between educational institutions and organizations in creating valuable opportunities for young people.

The University of Zakho sincerely thanks the U.S. Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region and Amidst Organization for their generous support and for their commitment to providing students with meaningful educational and personal development opportunities through this important program.