AUK Board of Trustees Convenes to Advance Strategic Priorities and Institutional Growth

Erbil, Kurdistan Region – Chaired by His Excellency Masrour Barzani, the Board of Trustees of the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) convened its regular meeting on Sunday, November 2, 2025. The meeting brought together trustees and university executives to review institutional progress, approve key academic and administrative actions, and advance AUK’s strategic priorities in line with the mission of AUK.

During the meeting, the Board considered committee reports and endorsed major recommendations across several areas. The Academic and Student Affairs Committee presented its October 2025 outcomes, resulting in the approval of degree conferral for 16 students, key academic policies, faculty promotions, and the Faculty Excellence Award. Based on the recommendation of the Trusteeship Committee, the Board approved the appointment of four new trustees, enriching the Board with global academic leadership and expertise.

The Board also approved schematic designs for the new Amphitheater and Building B as recommended by the Facilities Committee. In matters of risk management, trustees endorsed new Directors & Officers and Kidnap & Ransom liability coverages to enhance institutional protection. Furthermore, the Finance and Administration Committee’s recommendations – including the FY 2025–26 draft budget and updated employee policies – were approved.

The Board also approved to enter a donation agreement with Dania for Construction and Investment for a residential complex project in Erbil, reaffirming that AUK will maintain a strict firewall and avoid direct commercial involvement in alignment with best governance practices.

Chairman Barzani emphasized AUK’s growing role in supporting public-sector capacity-building. President Rhodes outlined recent partnerships between AUK’s academic units and governmental bodies – including the Department of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Duhok and Zakho administrations – focusing on training, professional development, and institutional strengthening.