Student Eye

Voting for Your Friends will be Appreciated!

2012-03-06T14:13:00.001+03:00

Afterannouncing that the Global Case Challenge, an international organization, is offering$ 1million for helping underprivileged children in the new developed countries,a group of AUIS students participated to challenge this competition for thesake of supporting the children of our country! Rawaz Jamal, one of the membersof the competition, said that their goal is helping the children of ourcountry. “Participating in this competition is also a message of encouragement forthe adults to participate such competitions in the future,” added Azad Fatah,another member of the group. “Thestudents vote means a lot to us, and it also enhances the chance of obtainingthe price,” added Mr. Jamal.

The below link is where you can vote for them, and we hope that all of the AUIS students vote for them to encourage their ambition for participating in this holy project.

http://fb.wildfireapp.com/fb/7316/contests/197738/voteable_entries/45238430

May God Bless Your Souls

2012-03-03T06:11:00.002+03:00

With a deep sorrow, we heard the news of killing teacher Jeremiah Small, in the Media Private School, and his student Bayer Sarwar; our compassion for this loss goes to all of their members of their families, and we hope that their souls rest in peace. 
We share a special condolence with both of their families, and we will pray for them both.


 
 
Student Eye

A Clarification

2012-03-03T05:22:00.001+03:00

Unfortunately, some people are trying to take advantagesfrom our gathering on Thursday at the American university of Iraq Sulaimaninear to the cafeteria by saying that we, students, were insulting the others becausea teacher was killed in the day of holding the meeting, and we were “demonstrating.”

Firstly, we did not know that the teacher was killed, andthe event was created one night before that happened.

Secondly, it was not a demonstration, but it was a smallgathering in which students expressed their anger against some new rues of the university.

Finally, we hope that no one takes this as personal because,again, holding this meeting on Thursday had

nothing to with killing theteacher.

Student Eye Team

AUIS Students will Gather on Thursday

2012-02-29T19:04:00.001+03:00

In an event posted on Facebook, all AUIS studentsare invited to partake in a public gathering on Thursday.

The event, as claimed, is to remind AUIS the“forgotten” role that should have in the decisions made by AUIS.

“AUIS does not care about us, students, so we will gather to put a limit for what AUIS is doing, and if there is a need for anything, we are readyto do,” said one of the organizers.

The following is the content of the message sent tothe students:

“Dear Friends at AUIS,

As we know that our university has forgotten that we are the students of this university while making new decisions. And the situations, in all of the aspects, are getting worse day after day. For this reason, we would like to inform all of the AUI...S students to have a meeting on Thursday to share our ideas as the students, and to put a limit for the extensive decisions of the university.

Please come with your ideas to see what we should do against these unacceptable decisions that are made daily.

Location: Cafeteria

Time: 12:30

Date: Thursday

Your participation will be well appreciated. “

Let’s Find the Rooster!

2012-02-27T22:10:00.001+03:00

Onceupon a time, there was a family in a diminutive village! And there was a burglarwho used to embezzle anything he could. Once, THE rooster of the family wasstolen, and the children told the breadwinner, the father, the news. The fatherpassionately and sadly said “go and find the roster; there will be more afterit otherwise!”

Thechildren laughed and thought that their father had been nuts for ordering tofind an invaluable thing, a rooster!

Aftera month, THE goat got stolen, and the children said to their father the news. Thefather merely said “go and find the roster!”

Thechildren became astounded because they had told him the news of stealing thegoat, yet their father was talking about the rooster; “what a crazy man,” saidthe children with a barmy and wild voice.

Afterthree months, the cow got stolen, and as the other times the children toldtheir father the news of losing the caw.

Butthe father was insisting of finding the rooster!!

Finally,the broken car, which they used for everything, was stolen, and the father wasstill saying “go and find the rooster.”

Thechildren eagerly asked “father, we have been telling you all the news aboutwhatever we lost, but the rooster was your only concern; can you tell us why?”

Thefather said “if you had found the rooster, the others would not have beenstolen because a thief always starts from small to big!”

Ithink that our case in the American University of Iraq Sulaimani is perfectly thesame because we have chosen silence for almost all of the decisions that were madeby the administration.

Ifwe had not accepted the first $100 dollars for the dorm’s invoice at the firstplace, the payment of the books would not have been added to it.

Thepayment for the new dorms would not have been added to it; the payment forprinting would not have been added to it.

Andthe bad news is that it is not done. I am sure that there will be much moreinappropriate changes without considering the students’ circumstances!

I am sure there are some students who are notin capable of providing their needs monthly, yet justifications are not takenas considerations.

Myeyes are not merely on money, but when I am talking about money, I mean corruptionin all of the departments.

Isee what the circumstances of some of the students look like, and I see thatthe university is increasing all of the prices in contrast. I do not know howthat works!!!!

KarwanGaznay is an International Studies student at AUIS

Fun with AUIS

2012-02-21T14:39:00.002+03:00

Look at the new prices at AUIS, REALLY CHEAP!!!

Equipment

Costs

1-“Printing a paper

2) Entering the university

3) Going to the president’s room

4) Going to a professor’s room

5) Going to a class in the foreground

6) Going to the class in the upstairs

7) Talking to a friend

8) Talking to a girl

9) Smiling

10) Going to the library

11) Checking a book

12) Checking a calculator

13) Copying a paper

14) Going to the cafeteria

15)Eating in the cafeteria

16) Going to the bathrooms

1) only 0.10 cents”

2 ) $2, so try to come only

when you have important classes

3) Sorry never

4) It depends on the certification

5) $1 it is near

6) $2 because you will

use the stairs or elevator

7) 0.5 cents, this is the best discounting

8) $5, sorry no more girls

9) 0.3 cents, try to not smile a lot, please

10) 0.15 cents because

there are thousands of books

11) 0.50 cents, we don’t do it anyway

12) $1, or you can buy one

13) 0.50 cents

14) $1 because it is new

15) Do you have a bank?

If not, go to somewhere else

16) It depends on what you will do!

For more information, please contact me, butthere will be no changes because this is the last decision!!!!

This is the cheapest price ever with thecomparison to the other universities in Iraq, and you can check to make surethat.

We will update you with the newest prices.

From the Student Eye to the AUIS Students

2012-02-20T14:52:00.001+03:00

Aswe are approaching to the spring semester, we appreciatively congratulate allof the efforts you, students, have put to achieve your accomplishmentsthroughout your study AUIS hitherto.

Wealso congratulate the new academic students, and we encourage those who did nothave the chance of passing last semester to maintain working to get the goal ofbeing academic students next semester.

Inaddition, we intend to insure you that we will maintain to illustrate thetruths and fight for your rights.

Aboveall, we respectfully ask the AUIS administration to rethink of the students’issues and provide the students with the best serves.

Withstarting the new semester, we will start our activities in a new and effective way.

Your voice is engraved in our hearts,

Student Eye

2012-02-16T16:53:00.000+03:00

Aftertraining, negotiating, and preparing leaders from all Iraq for 2 years, yesterdayon February 13-14, the first conference of Negotiating and Solving Problemswas held in the Mam & Zin Hotel in Sulamnai.

The conference was funded by MercyCorps, a NGO from USA. GrantEnnis, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer of NINE, said that the point ofhaving the conference is electing a body to represent the Iraqi people, andthis body will be responsible for solving the economic, political, andsocial problems among the Iraqi people.

“Thereare different types of people in this conference; there are political members, social leaders, and so on,” added Grant.

Theparticipants of the conference believed that this conference will successfullysolve the Iraqi peoples’ problems.

ShexWahed, a member of the conference, said “we are from different cites of Iraq,and we work together for the sake of succeeding the body, which will be chosenby the participants,” a member of Social Problem Solving in Duhok.

Fromthe other side, Sa’ad Al-Khalidi, the Program Manger of NINE, said that the maincenter of Iraqi Center for Conflict Managing will be in Baghdad, andthere will be branches in different cities of Iraq.

The membersof the conference guaranty solving problems academically and successfully.AlaKamal, the head of media of the conference, said “we have solved approximately 130political issues in Iraq.”

Theconference maintained for two days, and in the second day the body was elected, andthe below 8 people were elected as the body;

1-     Dr.Salama Khafaji
2-     MadihaAl-Musawe
3-     Dr.Mahir Hamid
4-     JAferAl- Musawe
5-     DlshadAl-Zebare
6-     RizgarHaji
7-     Sa’adSalih Khaldi

KarwanGaznay

An Open Letter to The Student Services Coordinator

2012-02-04T11:32:00.000+03:00

An Open Letter to AUIS Student Services Coordinator

To the AUIS Student Services Coordinator

Dear Madam,

Over the last two months, I have heard dormitory students complaining. I didn’t believe them at the beginning, because I thought they are studying at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. How can, I thought, they complain without any reasons!

It turned out that they have real reasons. They didn’t have electricity while they were rioting in front of the dorms. I thought it is normal, yet when the university’s delegate disrespected the students and threatened them. Then I thought there must be something wrong.

During the Harigan’s realm, we, students, had been accused of embracing a culture, which I called the culture of plagiarism. Unfortunately, Mr. Jeoffrey Gresk, the Integrity officer, repeated the same mistake. This has never been part of this culture, and students never have a culture of that tittle. And now you are heading to accuse us of embracing another culture, “culture of disrespectfulness”.

We, students, are building a culture in which facts are speaking not false assumption based on Facebook reports. We are building a culture, in which we respectfully pursuit knowledge, not respectfully seeking disrespectfulness.

Dear Madam, this, as you seem to be concerned about respect, is not acceptable. This has been accepted because of the students’ fragile position. When one is failing in taking his/her position adequately, it’s not the students’ fault. More precisely, when you are more interested in baseball courts and forgetting the students’ needs, insulting or labeling them is as disrespectful as accusing dorm delegates of being disrespectful.

You may have different interpretation for my claim, yet my claim is humble. Students are part of educational institutions. Disrespecting them, as you did and many other AUIS members form the lady in Finance Department, Integrity Officer to the boy working on the copy-machines, is disrespecting the entire institution. In other words, perhaps more simply, disrespecting students is disrespecting the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani. Are you allowed to do so?

It is time to consider this claim, and the university must formally apologize for the following accusations.

1. Disrespecting and threatening the student body, dormitory students in particular.

2. Re- addressing the cheating and plagiarism policies, and apologizing for the accusations being formulated by the instructors and the Integrity Officer.

Respectfully,

Bahman A. Hassan

Bahman A. Hassan is a student of International Studies at the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani.

Having Exams in the Day of the Prophet's Birthday makes Students Angry

2012-02-03T22:34:00.001+03:00

Although the Directorate of Islamic Affairs in Sulaimani declared Sunday, February 5^th as a holiday to respect the birth of the prophet of Muslims, Muhammad (PBUH), the American University of Iraq Sulaimani sent its last schedule for the exams.

Thus, that frustrated some of the students. Ismail Kamal Aziz, an engineering student from Rania, said “I am ready to take the exam on Friday, but the day must be taken off as a respect for the anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).”

“Although some of the students do not care about the anniversary, the university should take it as considerations because that shows a great respect for the Muslims of the university,” said Rizgar Hussain from Rania, an APP student.

And some of the students see the decision as discrimination. “Why do they have holiday for 23 days for the birth of Prophet Jesus (PBUH), but they do not think that our prophet’s anniversary is worth even one day,” said Hawta Ramadan from Bzyan.

Note/ we did not have the chance of interviewing the teachers because of the weekend; sorry for that.

My Poor Dream

2012-02-03T21:58:00.001+03:00

I am tired, and I want to have some sleep. I go to bed and immediately fall asleep. As usual, I change dreams from one to another: soft dreams. Gradually, I feel something really soft and kind of cool.
Oh, yah. What a tranquil dream! I think, think, and think to know where I am. It seems that I am at a beach in Hawaii.
No, no.
That is not possible. I hear people speaking in Kurdish and Arabic, and it is getting really cold. It is freezing. So, where am I? I might be Jack Dawson on Titanic. Titanic has split, and now I am in the freezing Pacific Ocean.
No, no.
That is not also possible. I do not hear Rose’s voice, nor do I feel her soft hands. Damn! Where am I? Antarctica might have moved to Sulaimani. No, no. That’s not true, because I do not feel penguins around. Damn! Where am I? I wake up.
Oh, no! No!
I am at a window-canyon at AUI-S dorms! Water has passed through the window and made a canyon. Now, my bed and I am floating on the water. Have a nice trip.

Brwa Aziz is a business student at the American University of Iraq Sulaimani

So Respectful!!

2012-01-31T21:14:00.000+03:00

Disrespecting is speaking for itselfin anywhere, where the powerful is stronger than the weak!!!

When the weak cannot do anythingagainst the disrespectful actions of the powerful, and the powerful does notcare about anything accept his interests, this is disrespectful.

When the weak is asked to pay orleave, and the powerful is not listening, this is disrespectful!

When the powerful does not careabout the weak, and the weak is about dying, this is disrespectful!

When the powerful is asking for findingjobs and equating United States with Kurdistan, and the weak doesn’t haveenough money even to spend monthly, this is disrespectful!

When the weak is asked for $70 permonth, and the powerful is wasting money for useless things, this isdisrespectful!

When the powerful is giving the cafeteriafor free to the rich people, and the weak is asked for paying an acceptable amountof money, this is disrespectful!

When the weak is asking for hisrights politely, and he is ignored by the powerful, this is disrespectful!

When the powerful brings someone toteach how to teach in his classes daily, and the weak is not allowed to bring afriend to the university even for applying, this is disrespectful!

When the powerful is allowed toleave the university for weeks, and the weak is not permitted for one week goto the USA with reasons, this is disrespectful!

When the powerful is teaching theclass, and the weak is asked to leave when he has a question, which does notfit to the powerful’s mood, this is disrespectful!

When the powerful is discriminating amongthe students, and the weak is asking “WHY”, he should shut up, this isdisrespectful!

When the powerful gets more than$3000 per a month for sitting in an office, and the weak has to pay more than $5000, this is disrespectful!

When a teacher calls a “He” student “She,”and the powerful does not say anything, this is disrespectful!

When a teacher uses bad words, andthe powerful keeps silent, this is disrespectful!!

When I am afraid that I am in dangerbecause of writing this, and the powerful is so strong, this is disrespectful!

I am not disrespectful my friend, disrespecting is here so near tome that I can touch!!!!!!!!

(I know that powerful and weak are adjectives,thanks)

Evaluate Dr. Darcy Wudel, the Dean of Faculty

2012-01-31T01:32:00.000+03:00

DarcyWudel received his B.A. degree in geography and M.A. degree in politicalscience from the University of Alberta. He earned his Ph.D. in politicalscience from the University of Toronto. Prior to joining the faculty at AUIS, hetaught at Hampden-Sydney College, Averett University, and Deep Springs College.He has published articles on the political thought of William Shakespeare andAlexis de Tocqueville. He has served as co-editor of two volumes of essays onliberal education. He is currently the Dean of Faculty and the Convener of theCore at AUIS. Now, he is dean of faculty, and he is teaching political scienceat the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani.

Note//we have gotten this information AUIS catalogue.

Afren Company's 30 Milion Dollars And No "Petroleum Engineering Program"

2012-01-30T07:27:00.000+03:00

Afren Company

On October 9, 2011- AUIS has announce to have received 30 million dollars from Afren, a gas and oil production company.

American University of Iraq, Sulaimani

The aid, as claimed by AUIS, was to “support the university's overall infrastructure and, in particular, development of a petroleum engineering program that will include a heavy oil research initiative and vocational training courses".

It is worth mentioning that Afren is among the leading companies trying to get KRG's oil contracts. The petroleum engendering department, as was scheduled by AUIS, had to be open in spring. Yet the recent developments show that no petroleum engineering major will be opened at AUIS.

Instead, last week AUIS announced a change, and opened a mechanical engineering major. Rumors around AUIS suggest that the petroleum engineering major is canceled.

This, as many students believe, came about when on December last year, Dr. Dlawar Qaradaxil, KRG Higher Education Minister, suggested to AUIS president to not open petroleum engineering department at AUIS.

This bothers many students because they came to AUIS to study petroleum engineering as they were promised.

Now the question is, when the petroleum department is not going to be opened at AUIS, what will happen to Afren's 30 million dollars? Or what will be the Afren Company’s response to this unpredicted change? As it's in contrast to what have been promised to Afren before getting the money.

Fun with AUIS: A Conversation between an AUIS Student and Mam Khdir!

2012-01-29T20:43:00.003+03:00

-Salamw A’laik, Mam Khdir!

+Wa Salamw A’laik my son; by the way, are you still a student at the small cabins near Qalawa?

-Yes, but now we are in the new “building”; the one which is the best in the Middle East.

-Oh Mam Khdir, did your son graduate from high school?

+ Yes my son, why are you asking this?

-Mam Khdir. Honestly, I want you send your son to AUIS because it is the best university ever!

+Hm, how can I know this, my son?

-Well, there are so many beautiful girls whose grades are above the average, do not get me wrong because they are smart enough to get these grades. The teachers are not giving them randomly.

- And the books are for free.

- Oh about the dorms, The dormitory is amazing; there is electricity 24 hours a day, and one has to pay a LITTLE amount of money, which is only $ 70– 90 per a month.

- In addition, there is the most wonderful cafeteria ever in the university.

- The students are too smart; they never think about cheating. Naturally, they HATE cheating, and your son, after graduating from AUI,S, will unspeakably be the prime minster, an Iraqi future ambassador, or at least an MP, which is better than having nothing to do!

+Oh beautiful girls! What if I apply it?

-No, you cannot, unfortunately, but your son can apply it.

+ But you said “MP”, what does it mean?

-MP means a member of the parliament

+ Hmmm, great, but, can my son study at AUIS for free?

-Well, if you know the boss, then he can study for free!

+ Who is the boss?

-The boss is a politician, or a businessman.

+NO, I know none of them. What is the next solution?

-Ok then money is not a problem, AUIS is tolerant about money. For example, if someone cannot pay money, then they will KINDLY find a sponsor for him.

Or, if there is a smart one, he will be sponsored too.

Or, MONEY is not a problem, as you can see the advertisement for the university in the Kurdish satellites!!

+Ok I got you my son, but can you please tell me why you are doing this? It is like you are getting something for it because you are insisting on it a lot!

-Come-on Mam Khdir, it is not too much, but I have been told that “‎1. For every friend that is accepted to AUIS – your friend that submits a completed application and passes the English Assessment Exam – you will receive a 10,000-dinar AsiaCell card AND a $10 movie pass to City Cinema!

2. For every two friends enrolled in AUIS – they meet Admissions requirements, pass the English Assessment Exam, and begin classes at AUIS in spring 2012 – you will receive a FREE TEXTBOOK next semester." Isn’t it awesome?

+ YES IT IS.

-I have to go because I have another client to meet. BYE NOW.

- BUT remember, the good news is your son can do the same business once he starts studying at AUIS. BYE.

The Dorms Students: Cold, threat, and insult

2012-01-28T14:48:00.000+03:00

An APP Student studying in the rain for his finall exam.

Student gathering a round a fire spark in a freezing tempreture

Students bring wood to keek the fire.

Dorm students gathering few minitues before the arival of the AUIS delegate who insulted and threatned them.

Inside the dorms.

"what should we do" few minutes before their gathering infornt thier dorm gate.

KNN reporter among the students.

Another students studying for his presentation.

KNN reporter interviwing students.

"its cold, let's build a fire"

"what is going on?" the reporter asked.

Photos by: Damga and Brwa Aziz

"I Don’t Want To Lose My Job"

2012-01-28T14:05:00.000+03:00

by: Bahman A. Hassan

I have heard few instructors saying, “I don’t want to lose my job” or “you don’t have to know my opinion” when students were asking them about their opinion(s). This was strange to me.

I thought that only students are not fully allowed to voice their opinions in most cases. But this catches my attention and pushed me to ask. Who is the boss? Why some are afraid to share their perspectives?

I have noticed that most of the times when the U.S. policies were discussed, instructors where withdrawing. Is it part of making U.S. “Great”? Or is it part of AUIS suppressive “indoctrination”.

For me, as a student, it is expected to be restricted, but I couldn’t imagine how in an “independent enterprise” like AUIS, some dare to play such a “filthy” game. This is worth considering. And this is not from the perspective of a “conspiracy theorist”. This is what I have noticed.

If names are necessary, I can give some to make sure that my claim is valid. Restricting or threatening instructors at AUIS is really worth consideration. Last year due to partaking in the demonstrations, “some” were called in to investigations. This means things are going from bad to worse.

This is not tolerable anywhere, even if it would be “the culture” that AUIS wants to establish. I hope AUIS can prove the opposite.

Anonymous Comments Are Allowed

2012-01-28T13:31:00.002+03:00

Dear Readers,

Student Eye team has decided to start publishing anonymous comments again.

This comes after some of our readers accused us of not giving them any space to voice their support or criticism. We hope this step can give us energy to go on. Meanwhile, we are not responsible of the content of the comments that SET will publish them. We carefully publish the anonymous comments. And we hope our readers respect the limits. Again we are not responsible of any comment(s) that may appear on Student Eye, because we cannot track the commentators and reader are free to make their comments.

Best Regards

Student Eye Team

Evaluate Dr. Athanasios Moulakis, the President of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani

2012-01-27T21:29:00.000+03:00

Dr. Athanasios Moulakis, thePresident of the American University of Iraq Sulaimani

Dr. Athanasios Moulakisis president and provost of American University Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS),bringing to the university more than 40 years of experience in academia andhigher education in the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Dr. Moulakis joined AUISin September 2010 after serving as chief academic officer, interim presidentand distinguished professor of Government and International Relations atAmerican University of Afghanistan, Kabul.

He completed afellowship with the Athens-based Onassis Foundation, and served as an adjunctscholar in South-East European Studies at the Woodrow Wilson InternationalCenter for Scholars, Washington, D.C. He also directed the Institute forMediterranean Studies at the University of Italian Switzerland, Lugano.

Dr. Moulakis has heldfaculty posts in political science, philosophy, and the humanities at theUniversity of Colorado at Boulder; the European University Institute, Florence,Italy; the London School of Economics; and Ruhr Universität, Bochum, Germany.He has authored and edited numerous books, including Beyond Utility: LiberalEducation for a Technological Age, which won the AAC&C Frederick Ness Awardfor Best Book on Liberal Education and was named Choice “OutstandingBook of the Year.”

Dr. Moulakis holds adoctorate of philosophy magna cum laude in Political Theory from RuhrUniversität, Bochum, Germany, and MDP Certificate from the Harvard GraduateSchool of Education. He is fluent in English, German, French, Italian andModern Greek.

Evaluate Dr. Athanasios Moulakis, the President of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani

2012-01-27T21:27:00.000+03:00

Dear AUIS friends,

We are starting a new project, which is evaluating the professors and faculty at our university, so please feel

free to say whatever you have about those who will be evaluated. And we will start with Dr. Athanasios

Moulakis, the president of the university.

Sasarism

2012-01-23T20:58:00.000+03:00

by: Bahman A. Hassan

Since the beginning of history, narrow-minded individuals have brought many ideas ending with "ism". I am sure, thus far you have encountered some, and ironically mine will be one of them. Like always there will be no topic sentences, proper paragraphs, and there will be lots of “grammatical mistakes".

Now, I am watching Sasha Gray having fun on the iPad that my girlfriend brought to me last summer. Along with watching Sasha Gray, I was thinking about wording a theory. After all, theories are all made of simple words. Yet mine is to have a realistic basis.

"Sasarism" is my new theory. You can quote me for that. Honestly, I have had Hariganism in mind, but let's do the “firsts” first, this if Sasha excuses me.

Recently, in fact for the last two years, there have been huge demands by the students to attend Dr. John Sasar's courses. Though, it may be normal at the surface, this attracted my attention.

I followed the case, and here is what I found out.

I think there is no need to remind you, this is about the America University of Iraq-Sulaimani. In fact what I have found out will not be in the good of all, at least for AUI-S with the "S" or without the "S", but it is worth considering. Students were attending Mr. Sasar's classes, not because of his “method of teaching" but because of his "slothfulness". “Slothfulness" is the word I am using, and I am sorry for it has nasty connotations.

Hardly, in any of his classes a will student stay for the complete period. But, ironically “my Sasha”, he is promoted. He is well known for his “Vietnam" stories. I couldn't believe that, until I saw a video of him narrating stories in class.

Last year, I wrote a letter to the President, I mean the AUIS President. Later on I decided not to share it. In that letter I wanted to shed light on few of the problems that AUIS students were stuffing from. I hoped that these problems would be "fixed", but unfortunately still students continue suffering from them.

My Sasarism theory continues. The paragraph above was just a “jump” because my Comp instructor “loves it”. So, things never change as it appears. It seems many other instructors are joining Mr. Sasar’s camp. One, actually a “she” instructor, missed five classes. You know why? Well, she is working on her second MBA, “fair enough”. You pay money, “waste your time” and see what students get. Anyway “s”, the fun was that when a student criticized this and the Dean of Faculty strictly silenced him. Yet another copy of Mr. Sasar would be that Comp instructor who said “Just I hate English. It is a strange language”. I thought what a genius man he would be, and how grateful his students must be. I think “Iraqi Future leaders” are lucky. This is terribly funny.

I think my point is clear, if not I can give more examples.

AUIS Students Go On A Strike

2012-01-23T20:24:00.000+03:00

While the temperature was freezing, AUIS dorm students spent half of their nigh outside, in front their dorm gate.

Last night, because of not having electricity the dorm students gathered in front of Raparin dorms. Students were gathering around a fire that they built on the street in front of the dorms.

Lacking services, electricity in particular, has been a problem for the AUIS students. Students have voiced their problems many times, yet none of them are fixed.

Dispute of not being listened to, students were insulted by the university representative who attended the gathering. Dr. Aso, whose real task is not defined at AUIS, was the universities delegate to speak to the students.

He couldn’t calm the students down, and instead he insulted them and threatened them with not letting them to inter the dorms.

The students’ response was strict, yet the university has not apologized formally for its delegate’s insults and threats. Still the students are suffering and their problems are not addressed.

Photos By: Damga

What hurts most?

2011-12-13T21:11:00.001+03:00

By: Bahman Hassan

By now, AUI-S students must be aware of the points that bother the AUI-S staff and faculty members. Perhaps, like everything else, AUI-Sians are getting angry by the university’s weak points. For us, “those of the blog “or as Milani Standish worded, “nonsense writers”, everything is different. We, lamentably, lost the “love” of the entire university. We are not allowed- at least until the beginning of this semester- to apply for exchange programs or ask for recommendation letters. Thus far, it’s fair, as we “hurt the university too much” or “mobbing against the university”. We know what is going on and we are aware of some, but not all the weak points. We don’t enjoy mentioning them, yet we take pleasure from arguing about them as part of our duties.

Ironically, here are some of the things that hurt AUI-S most.

I. Financial Aid Applications:

A financial Aid officer called a student “stupid”. For me it is just a simple confusion, as both “Stupid” and “Student” words start with “S”. And AUI-S has a big problem with “S”. That stupid, sorry student, was rewarded when he asked the officer for a bit of “explanation”. So, as a bit of advice, don’t miss with the people form the finance department. They may drag you into the middle of a breathtaking investigation or have your fees doubled for the next semester. Do tell them jocks or you may say “you are so sexy today” but never say, “Excuse me, can you explain this for me?” Financial Aid officers are quickly getting angry and they are good at making fun of the “Financial Aid Students”.

II. Strikes:

Wow, this is a real “pain in the ass” as professor Peter Fridrich said while he was professing one of his COMP classes. If you don’t want to make Mr. Dean or Integrity Officer angry, don’t go on strikes. You don’t want to be told “I will expel you” as Mr. James Harrigan told Krekar Warty for partaking in a demonstration last year. Stay quiet and do not care whatever goes on.

III. Criticizing the University’s Policies:

If you want to get a degree from AUI-S, ever never try criticizing AUI-S. If you do criticize AUI-S, you may “lose your Financial Awards” or lose the “love” of the staff, faculty members and most of the students. You don’t want to be like “people from the blog”, so be nice and don’t criticize; however, they say critical thinking is what we want. It is just a “lie”. Do anything you want, but never criticize AUI-S. If you want, open a club for yourself and your girlfriend. Again, previous advice, don’t criticize, critical thinking is just the shadow of “a dead virgin girl”.

IV. Be part of the Praising Machine:

If you, million times, are called “stupid” or taken to investigation, never stop praising AUI-S. Just say it’s the best university ever Iraqis have. Don’t criticize; you are just a blind, as the KRG’s Higher Education Ministry labeled AUI-S as number one in the region. Take a breath, don’t go on strikes, don’t criticize and be part of the praising. Never mind your friend is leaving because of not being able to pay his ever increasing fees. Just forget what you see, see what you are told to see. Be part of “deceiving the problems” not part of their solutions. Or as Shakespeare said, “Praise, Praise, thee shall be pleased”.

V. First Day of Class and the Rest of the Days

Be patient, even if your physics “professor” asks you to drop the course. Make fun of the fact of not knowing anything about math, after taking two math courses. From the first day of class, assess your instructor, as 2011-2012 is strange. Instructors forgot everything about teaching; all they do is not giving high grades and making sure some students fail. So, don’t miss with them, “democratically” it will not work. Follow the deception carefully, and don’t panic, you, “the Iraqi Future leader”, don’t have to know so much. It is a simple “Federal Democratic Republic”, so you can rule it even with what you have now. Again, don’t miss with the instructors. This will hurt a lot, and you may be “failed” for this.

VI. Don’t Ask the Registrar…

If you are not a “she”, my friends don’t go to the registrar and ask for changing your courses, section, or instructors. Last experience, was when a “she” one week before the “mid-term” exams changed her course [name, time, and course can be provided]. I personally can’t do this, simply because I am not a she, or. Few clicks on the computer can change many things, but seemingly not for everyone. So, “Buddy, Buddy” don’t panic, that is how it goes. Life is a pizza which is not equally sliced, just because its circle. Finally, Ouch Charlie, it Hurts.

“The Exam was too easy”

2011-12-13T20:54:00.000+03:00

While some students were busy studying for their Statistics exam, some others were busy with how to get the questions. Finally, they could get the test and in few hours the test become in the hand of most of the students.

Thus, before taking the test, most of the students had the questions. And the result is expected to be astonishing.

This has been a serious problem for AUI-S instructors. Every now and then exam questions are publicized. So far, no one says anything about this problem and students are seemed to be happy.

AUI-S promises to solve Dorm Problems

2011-12-13T20:29:00.001+03:00

On November29^th, Leah McNally, Student Services Coordinator, had a meeting with the dorm students to listen to their problems. From the beginning of the fall semester, the dorms students have been suffering from many difficulties.

Some of these problems have been addressed, yet some are to be dealt with. In a letter sent to the dorm students, AUI-S Student Services Coordinator, happily informed students of the result of their meetings with the university. Here is the content of the letter:

I would like to follow up with all of you on the meeting that we had in the dorms on December 29th. I am happy to tell you that most of the major problems you mentioned during this meeting have been addressed and/or are in the process of being dealt with. Here is a summary of the action that has taken place since that meeting:

1. Internet - our IT Department is finalizing plans to install two Internet lounges (one on each floor of the dorm). The plan is to have this Internet operational by January 14, 2012.

2. Electricity problems - a new generator has been installed and this weekend, the automatic switch will arrive, making the power outages much shorter. In the meantime, I am told that the new generator is working well.

3. Construction noise - we are currently negotiating with the building owner to cease construction during evenings and weekends. 4.

Leaks - we have assessed the roofing of the building and sealed the problem areas.

5. Location - beginning in January, the university will provide a weekend shuttle to the bazaar and/or supermarket at no cost to you. Additionally, in the new year, we will announce plans for on campus housing to be completed by Fall 2012.

6. Food options - we are negotiating a plan for Fall 2012 housing options to include a food service in the evenings and on weekends.

7. Furniture - we have provided each apartment with 2 desks for studying.

8. Elevator - the situation has been assessed, and unfortunately the current elevator is beyond repair and we cannot realistically replace the current one. I apologize for any inconvenience that this causes you.

9. Fire Escape - we are assessing the safety of the building and if a fire escape is necessary, we will move forward with this.

I hope that the above actions that the university has taken have improved your overall quality of life in the dorms. The work is ongoing and we are doing our best to make things better for you.

AUIS Dorm Students Want to Take Action

2011-11-26T22:11:00.001+03:00

AUIS dorm students meeting to discuss their issues last semester

The American University of Iraq-Sulaimani's dorm students complain about the lack of some basic services such as electricity and want to take action.

The AUIS boys staying at the dorm in Raparin quarter say their dorm lacks many services.

"Unbearable living conditions at the AUIS dorm, no electricity, no fire escape, no internet, , no elevator, and the closest market is 15 minutes walking." Writes Sarbast Rashid, a dorm student, to his friends.

Sarbast also asks for better management of the AUIS revenue.

"AUIS spends huge amounts of money on meaningless delegations and willing to pay thousands of dollars for them, while the students of its dormitory suffer from lack of funding," wrote Sarbast.

Last year, the AUIS dorm students staying at the Manolya dormitory organized different events to put pressure on the AUIS administration for better living standards at the dorms.

Some students are collecting signatures in the dorm to ask for better services.

AUIS Students: یالله ارحل یا بشار

2011-11-25T20:55:00.000+03:00

Student Eye publishes two video footage from the AUIS students's support for the Syrian revolution on Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011.

On Thursday, November 17, 2011, a group of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani students came together to support the ongoing Syrian revolution. The event which was hold in the meetings hall in the basement, saw a great turnout from the AUIS students.

AUIS students, chanting against Bashar Al-Assad, emphasized the everlasting support of the university students for all free people around the world.

Here are the lyrics of the Yalla Irahal ya Bashar (یالله ارحل یا بشار) song which was sung during the event.

Dr. Sarracino: AUIS Students have Better Employment Opportunities

2011-11-24T00:27:00.001+03:00

Dr. Robert Sarracino, AUIS professor

Dr. Robert Sarracino, the professor of Math and Sciences at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani, told Student Eye that AUIS students have better chances to get hired in the companies.

Dr. Sarracino, Dr. Hemin Latif and Dr. Merk made a one day visit to Erbil city to attend a seminar arranged by General Electric Company.

"The seminar was a repetition of what their representative told us here on campus," said Dr. Sarracino.

Last Thursday, November 17th, a representatives from GE (General Electric) came to AUIS campus and spoke to AUIS students.

The company will not be having any summer employment, but they are going to get application for employment.

"They told us that they want to hire up until 200 employees here in Iraq. They have 50 already. That means they will be hiring 150 more," said Dr. Sarracino.

All students with different majors can apply to GE.

"GE will have special internship programs and courses to develop skills. So all of our students, regardless of their majors, can apply for the jobs," he said.

Dr. Sarracino also said that AUIS students have great chance in employed in GE and alike companies.

"A company like GE wants people with broad knowledge and education. They want students with appropriate ethical conduct and that means our students will have great chance to be hired," AUIS professor said.

Dr. Sarracino's advice for students is to concentrate more on their classes and try to get a broad education in each and every class.

General Electric Company is a multinational corporate with headquarters in United States. It operates through four segments: Energy, Technology Infrastructure, Capital Finance and Consumer & Industrial. In 2011, it was chosen as the 6th largest American company. Its representative in Erbil is an MBA graduate at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani.

Free Youth Movement: U.S. shouldn’t Imitate Middle East Dictators

2011-11-21T13:38:00.003+03:00

California police putting pepper spray on students. Nov. 18,2011.

The Iraqi Kurdistan based Free Youth Movement organization publishes a declaration announcing consolidation with the students demonstrations taking place in the United States of America.

The statement, which carries the date of Monday, November 21, 2011, condemns the extreme use of force against the students of the University of California, Davis.

“While U.S claims to be peace haven for the people aspiring democracy and the right of free speech, we were shocked to see the brutal use of force against the UC Davis students,” says the statement.

Two campus police officers put pepper spray onseated Occupy protesters at University of California, Davis, on November 18, 2011.

The FYM statement advises U.S. authorities not to imitate the Middle East dictators.

“The lesson that you should b taking from the ongoing MENA spring is not to use force and crack down on peaceful demonstrators. No nation is protected from the danger of going astray. U.S. needs to reclaims its values which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,’’ states FYM declaration.

Free Youth Movement has arranged several demonstrations supporting Egyptian and Syrian revolutions, and participated actively in the demonstrations arranged in the city of Sulaimani.

AUIS Hosts Its First International Conference

2011-11-20T19:38:00.000+03:00

"Liberty, Democracy, and the New Realities of the Middle East and North Africa," is the name of the first international conference of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani which will be held on AUIS campus Thursday, November 24 to Friday, November 25.

The conference, which is hosted by the Achelis and Bodman Foundations, hosts a number of scholars to speak about the issues of democracy and freedom in the new MENA region.

The conference participants are:

Dr. Larry Diamond, Stanford University

Dr. Sandy Lakoff, University of California San Diego

Ambassador Christopher Hill, University of Denver-Josef Korbel School of International Relations

Dr. Eric B. Brown, the Hudson Institute

Dr. Francois Zabbal, Institute du Monde Arabe

Dr. John Agresto, JA and Associates

AUIS Students' Syria Support Attracts Media Attention

2011-11-19T12:02:00.001+03:00

A number of Arabic and Kurdish new channels, newspapers and websites published the news of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani's support for the Syrian people.

Speda channel, an Erbil based satellite channel, published a report on the event. The report aired some video footage taken by students' cell phones. The channel asked all the universities to follow AUIS's model of support.

Xendan, Kurdiu, Lvin, Hawlati, and Awene, the most prominent and popular websites and newspaper in Iraqi Kurdistanr region covered the news, before and after the event.

Al Baghdadiyah, a Jordan based Arabic speaking satellite channel, aired interviews of students participated in the event.

Speda Channel's Arabic news dedicated its first two news to the event.

Anti-Bashar Event at AUIS in Photos

2011-11-17T23:33:00.000+03:00

AUIS Students: Down with Bashar Al-Assad

2011-11-17T22:53:00.000+03:00

On Thursday, November 17, 2011, a group of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani students came together to support the ongoing Syrian revolution. The event which was hold in the meetings hall in the basement, saw a great turnout from the AUIS students.

AUIS students, chanting against Bashar Al-Assad, emphasized the everlasting support of the university students for all free people around the world.
Dana Jaf, the moderator of the event, chanted enthusiastic mottoes and songs.

"The Syrian people have raised their hands
They say we don't want Bashar" was one of the phrases repeated throughout the event.

Karwan Gaznay, Hawta Ramazan, and Mahdi Abdullah gave speeches in the event. All the speeches repeated the absolute support of AUIS stundets for the Syrian revolution.

The event ended with the famous Syrian revolutionary song, Go out Bashar, یالله ارحل یا بشار.

Here are some of the pictures from the event:

Like Sarbast Majeed's Innovative Project on Youtube

2011-11-15T22:24:00.001+03:00

Sarbat Majeed, an American University of Iraq-Sulaimani Information Technology student, is going to participate in an international competition on invention. Sarbast's innovative idea is on Youtube and it needs likes to get to the next stage.

Sarbast Majeed's project is now competing with many other projects, and he is the only student from Iraq.

Let's all go to Youtube, and like Sarbast Mjeed's project to help him win the competition.

Here is the link to Sarbast's project on Youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umFcdyVLuBQ

AUIS Students Support Syrian Revoution

2011-11-15T00:05:00.000+03:00

On this coming Thursday, November 17, 2011, the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani students will arrange an event in support of the Syrian revolution.

The event will be hold at 12 pm in front of the main building of the new campus.

Alexander Lascaris, Came to Lecture, Caught up in Hot Discussions

2011-11-04T01:02:00.000+03:00

Lascaris speaking to AUIS students. AUIS website photo

Alexander Lascaris, U.S Consul General and the head of the Regional Reconstruction Team to Kurdistan, made his first visit to the new campus of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani November 2, 2011.

During the visit, an open discussion between Mr. Lascaris and the international studies students at AUIS was held.

Mr. Lascaris divided a copy of Sharaf Khan Bidlisi's Sharafnama and Federalist Papers no. 10 opening a discussion about the fractions in the American history and Kurdish history.

Mr. Lascaris pointed to the fact that the disunity between the Kurds was the main right not to get a state of their own in the past.

In the middle of his speech, some students asked Mr. Lascaris to stop lecturing and start answering the questions they had about the United States policies in the region.

A student told Mr. Lascaris, "You owe us an apology. Not only because you betrayed hus in 1975, and not only because you betrayed us in 1991, but also because you are going to betray us by the end of this year when you pull out your forces from Iraq."

Mr. Lascaris responded with a disatsified tone saying that the only true point in the claims made is the betrayal of 1991.

Other students questioned Mr. Lascaris on issues such as the Wikileaks reports, the American attitude towards PKK-Turkey conflict, and the American stand on the human rights and freedoms issue in Kurdistan region.

The questions came back and forth leading to a hot 2 hour long discussion.

"But I had come to speak about Federalist 10," said the U.S. Consul General to Kurdistan repeatedly.

Mr. Lascaris used some Kurdish proverbs during his speech and quoting from major Kurdish literary books attracting the attention of the attendants.

The forum ended with students showing gratitude for Mr. Lascaris's answering the questions and Consul General's being surprised for the good English AUIS students spoke.

First Democratic Elections Held at AUIS

2011-10-24T21:50:00.000+03:00

On Sunday, October 23r, 2011, tens of students came together to elect the President and the executive body of the Engineering and Math club.

Due to the heated competition between the candidates prior to the day of elections, a notieable number of AUIS student body was present to vote.

After brief speeches by Dr. Robert Sarracino, AUIS professor, and the candidates, the election process began.

The executive body of the club was to consist of 5 members, but there were only three candidates. Upon repeated calls from Dr. Sarracino for the girls to nominate themselves, two girls nominated themselves.

After the election, candidates agreed on the best way to count the votes. After knowing that there were 8 extra votes, it was decided that the margin of difference between the first and the second winner will decide the fate of the elections.

After counting the votes by a committee of four people, the results were announced in front of the candidates and some of the curious voters.

The results were as follows:

Dana Khalid 42 votes

Twana Ahmed 25 votes

Zana Jaff 15 votes

Shilan 4 votes

Hiba 1 vote

Thus, Dana Khalid was elected as the president of the Math and Engineering club.

It is worth mentioning that it was for the first time that a democratic election was held openly at the American University of Iraq-Sulamani.

Breaking News: Fire at the AUI-S Boys Dormitory

2011-10-21T03:05:00.000+03:00

The aftermath of playing with the fire extinguisher

On Tuesday, October 21st, 2011, at 1:30 am, some AUIS dorm students in Raparin district near to the new campus, called for help after seeing thick smoke in their dormitory rooms. The smoke was thought to be resulted from a fire.

Darya Ali, the dormitory supevisor who was called by the dorm students, drove immediately to the dorms.

Fortunate enough, the smoke was not resulted from fire, but from the childish act of some dorm students who had rushed the fire extinguisher.

The dorm students got angry over this act and asked Mr. Darya to act immediately against those who have done it. After a short investigation, it became clear that two drunk students had done that.

Mr. Darya, after speaking with the ones committing the guilt, promised dorm students to report this horrible act to the AUIS administration

Sarbast Majeed, an AUIS dorm student, told Student Eye that it is not enough to punish them.

"This is not the first time that we are destructed. We have come here to study and enjoy a calm life in the dorms. We want immediate measures against these acts,'' he said.

The false fire alarm caused great panic among some of the dormitory students.

Sarbast, who was also harmed by the false fire alarm, said that the dorms need fire escape.

"In the moments of panic, we realized that we don't have the most necessary thing at the time of fire or any other accident, and that is fire escape. We ask the administration to get us fire escape as soon as possible,'' he explained.

Mr. Darya Ali advised dorm students to be respectful to each other and not surpass others' rights.

"This is a place for respectful students only and there is no place for those who don't know who to act in a civilized way with their fellow dorm mates,'' he emphasized.

photos: Sarbast Majeed

Dana Khalid Nominated for the Math and Engineering Club Presidency

2011-10-20T12:34:00.002+03:00

Dana Khalid while solving a Math problem in the old campus garden

Dana Khalid, and AUI-S sophomore majoring Math and Engineering, is nominated to be the first president of the Math and Engineering club.

On Sunday, October 23, 2011, the Math and Engineering club will hold elections to elect the first president of the club. The election process will be held at 12:00 pm in the basement, B1-11.

Dana Khalid, promises his friends to do his best to promote the club and get students' rights. He says that he will work with his fellow friends and faculty members to help Engineering majors.

Dana Khalid works as a volunteer in the Math tutoring centers and helps students who need help in Math-related topics.

He has also had special classes last semester for students who needed Math tutoring.

Welcome back to College!

2011-10-07T12:24:00.000+03:00

Student Eye staff has warm congratulations for all the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani students, both academic and APP.

We hope that the new school year will be the right time for achieving some of what are trying to get.

Student Eye starts a new phase of its activities with the beginning of the new school year hoping to help AUI-S students, faculty and administration through the news and opinions pieces published on the blog.

Welcome back to college!

AUI-S is ranked number one among private universities

2011-09-27T12:43:00.000+03:00

In an assessment conducted by the KRG Higher Education ministry for Kurdistan Region’s private universities, the American University of Iraq, Sulaimani was ranked number one.

However, as it was clearly stated in a report posted on xendan.org, affiliated to the KRG prime minister and co-founder of AUI-S, the university has serious problems. Yet due to its links with other academic institution first place was given to AUI-S.

The report stated, “American University of Iraq, Suaimani. Studying in this university is in English. It has a good quality, yet the university needs more openness and more cooperation with Higher Education Ministry. The, AUIS, has academic ties and long run plan.”

This hint may suggest that AUI-S does not have strong ties with Higher Education Ministry. Meanwhile his news was warmly welcomed by AUI-S students.

Here you can read the full Higher Education Ministry’s annual report in Kurdish.

Fun with AUIS "Beautiful Girls"

2011-09-10T23:28:00.001+03:00

By Astios

One News and some Comments

The News: AUIS Uses some Beautiful Girls at AUIS in its New Ads for the University

A pessimist boy:

Do we really have any beautiful girls at AUIS?

Another girl:

That is discrimination. AUIS shouldn't differentiate between its students based on beauty. Didn't Jefferson say

"All women were created equal?"

Dr. Cargol, first AUIS chancellor:

I really don't care. That is not attractive in anyway.

A Business Student:

Beauty doesn't attract customers anymore. Iraqi people have begun to listen to their minds instead of their hearts when it comes to money.

A student intending to apply:

If that is so, I don't have to worry about my classes at AUIS

A financial aid student:

I think AUIS has put a price on that as well

Dr. Barham Salih:

That is absolutely another embodiment of my slogan, "Krdar Sharta" -Actions Count-

Dr. Aso Salih, head of security:

I don't care if there are beautiful girls in the ads, but I will not allow them to stay alone in the cabins -if there were any in the new campus-

Ms. Rosalind:

Since there is no grammar mistake there, it is fine.

A sexist boy:

Boys are not only stronger than the girls, but they are also more beautiful than them. Boys should be used in the ads instead of girls

A religious student:

This is another sin committed by AUIS. Beautiful girls are the most deceptive trick of Satan

A girl participated in the ads:

We are not in the ads because of our beauty only, but because of our intelligence as well. Should I write my GPA to prove it?

An AUIS student who has been reading philosophy lately:

What is beautiful for you can be ugly for me because beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Melanie Standish was not Ready to Say Goodbye to the Student Eye Staff

2011-09-10T19:30:00.002+03:00

Melanie Standish, the expelled head of International Programs and Exchanges office at AUIS, excludes Student Eye staff from her farewell email.

Standish, who was under severe criticism from AUIS students due to allegations of favoritism and inability, accuses Student Eye of publishing "nonsense".

"I have not written to all AUIS students so if you have received this email ... I’d prefer not to be on the student eye blog again as “playing favorites” or some other nonsense," wrote Melanie to all AUI-S students except Student Eye staff.

She also asks the students not to let Student Eye staff see the email. But Student Eye reached the email and here is the full text of it :

Dear Students,

I am writing to you today to let you know that I will be leaving AUIS at the end of next week to return to the States. I will not return. This is for various reasons but none are because I did not love my work here. I have not written to all AUIS students so if you have received this email, it would be great if you could keep this to yourself. I’d prefer not to be on the student eye blog again as “playing favorites” or some other nonsense. It’s impossible for me to know 500+ students well in 9 months, and I’m not prepared to offer my home in the US to the entire AUIS student body.

I just want to say to you that it has been an absolutely amazing experience to work with all of you this year. I came here knowing very little about the people of Iraq and am leaving with some wonderful memories. I wish you all the best of success in your future endeavors.

If there is anything I can do to assist you, I would be more than happy to do so. My personal email address is************* If you are traveling in the States and need a place to stay, or you need my advice or something about programs or studying in the US, I would be more than happy to help you in any way I can.

There will be some changes to the IPE and Career Services Offices next year. Please be patient. Some of these changes you may like, some you may not, but the important thing to remember is that you have the ability to control your own destinies and that if you work hard enough (and are patient), you will be able to get most of what you want.

I wish you all the best.

Sincerely,

Melanie

Melanie and Harrigan Expelled, Last Moment Accounts of Their Departure

2011-09-10T19:12:00.000+03:00

Both James Harrigan, former AUIS dean of students, and Melanie Standish, former head of International Programs and Exchanges office were expelled by the AUI-S administration in the summer.

Melanie, who was described by some students as "incapable and useless" was very sad when she left AUI-S.

"I don't know why they have expelled me. I was good for the students," she told some of the students before her departure.

James Harrigan, known for his anger and "rude" treatment with the students, also departed AUI-S without any prior notice.

"He just came and gave us a flag to sign it. We asked him the reason for this sudden departure, but he had no answer," said an AUI-S officer.

AUIS students hope that these changes help the university get back some order and discipline.

Happy Ramadan Eid Everyone !

2011-09-01T07:55:00.000+03:00

After Harrigan, Melanie Standish to Leave AUI-S Soon

2011-08-17T22:34:00.000+03:00

Student Eye has known from its sources that the director of International Programs and Exchanges office at the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani will leave AUI-S next week.

The departure of Melanie comes after the departure of the Academic Dean of Students, Dr. James Harrigan.

Student Eye had published extensive news and reports on the inadequacy and inability of the both names.

An expert told Student Eye that these sudden departures are signs of AUI-S's weak policy of hiring. Anyone who finds a better job back in the States leaves AUI-S directly.

“It is a cancer and it will always get worse”

2011-08-16T14:42:00.000+03:00

“It is a cancer and it will always get worse” this is a status that Muhammad Babakr wrote on his Facebook wall. AUIS Financial rewards have been announced, and students have started reacting. Many students claim that their tuition fees have been doubled.

This comes after AUIS Financial Aid Committee finished reviewing students’ Financial Aid Applications. The results were sent to the students via email.

As soon as the results were announced, a battle to refuse the results began.. The battle has started on Facebook, and it seems that the former Dean of Students, Dr. Harrigan is not here to follow the events.
Students are not hesitant to show their concerns and call for “actions”. “It won’t stop, we have to do something” Nuha Othman wrote as a replay to one of her friends when she wrote “it increased too much!”

These cries can be heard from all Financial Aid students; a name given by AUIS to those students whom AUIS is paying part of their annual tuition fees.

“I can pay part of what I have been asked to pay” a student answered when he was asked; “Can you pay your 2010-2011 tuition fees?”

The list continues, but no one seems to listen. No change is guaranteed, but students can ask for re-reviewing their applications. More has to come and the fight on Facebook will prolong, and Financial Aid students are worried about their destiny in a case that they could not pay their tuition fees.

AUIS Dean of Students unfriends students on Facebook

2011-08-03T20:16:00.001+03:00

After his departure, Dr. James Harrigan started to unfriend AUIS students on Facebook. In contrast of what students have thought about him, Mr. Harrigan acted irrationally. This comes as a shock for many students as he always pretends to be with them and they loved his covered simplicity.

"It was all a game and he used our Facebook status to follow the events, and he used all this against us in whatever steps we took." a students messaged Bahman Hassan when he first published this news on his Facebook wall.

Ironically, Mr. Harrigan seem to be pardoned for all the difficulties that he created out of not having administrative expericance. During his work at AUS as Dean of the Students, his office has face many difficulties that the source was his constant baseless accusations. The news of his leaving AUIS was welcomed by many thinking that, " the big man with his loud voice will not be here to shout anymore."
You may wonder why we want to publicize this news. There is no hidden goal behind this post other than shedding the light on this strange step by Mr. Harrigan.

For us, he as in many occasions, directly in person or indirectly, has shown his dislike of us. Though, Mr. Harrigan will not come back to AUIS, his news made many students to feel fooled. But "Song of the day" and "birthday wishes" by Mr. James will not pup up on AUIS students' Facebook walls.

Al-Sharqia Produces a Series Based on Bloggers’ Stories

2011-07-07T23:37:00.001+03:00

After the obvious increase in the number of Iraqi Bloggers and their role, an Iraqi TV station have decided to produce a series based on the stories that Iraqi bloggers have published since 2003.

Al-Sharqia, which is an Arabic TV station, is the producer. “East Gate” is the tittle of the series and it is planned to be televised in Ramadan. With this Al-Sharqia will the first Iraqi conventional media to credit bloggers and the social media activists.

After the invasion of Iraq, bloggers all over the country have published many secret documents, and for this those who were identified have been prisoned and tortured. Bloggers have participated in informing the public and shared in publishing many documents that have proved the magnitude of corruption that Iraqi are suffering from.

Official Ad for the series by Al-Sharqia

Azadi Square Affects Continue at AUIS

2011-07-07T22:56:00.001+03:00

by: Bahman A. Hassan

April 2011 was a special month for Kurdistan. Not because 10 people were killed and hundreds were wounded, but because people started to speak and voice the injustices. People were deceived by western institutions, meetings with US officials and nightclubs with Turkish girls. Kurdistan became a safe battle filled, where elites of tribe and political leaders have controlled everything, starting from oil contracts, mosques to educational institutions including universities. Anyone visited Kurdistan have believed that this region was exemplary a masterpiece of a group of revolutionary leaders.

In the spur of a moment, stability, democracy, and prosperity, all together faced a crushing challenge. After two months of continuous demonstrations, all these slogans became uncovered and people saw the essence of these fancies.

However, many belittled the consequences, now people discuss every topic, including the ones that for years have been forbidden. For more than 60 days people from all ranks came out to the streets and voiced what they needed. Nothing, in fact changed, except the April events wakened the political parties and showed the souls who are loaded with ideas into change.

Thus far, nothing was unexpected. All universities joined the efforts to start a new beginning. AUIS, as well, took a small part. We were all proud. Despite the “threats” posed by many AUIS faculty members to stop students, AUIS students had decided to partake and face the consequences. Words of the dean of the Students are some to be remembered.

AUIS fears of endangering its credibility; thus, the administration wanted to stop students and not to join Azadi Square. Soon AUIS withdrew and denied all the accusations that were in the local media. “We give students freedom to participate in any activity outside the university.” was the argument made after the local media accused AUIS of restricting students’ boundaries. This, perhaps, is part of what students have experienced in the “most liberal university” in the history of the region. Students at Azadi Square, were chanting, “Freedom, equality, and democracy.” few of the dogmas that AUIS is trying to teach its students. Perchance, I shall not reject these ideas, yet I rather want to ask, why AUIS couldn’t let these ideas to be practiced in reality?

I may be able to answer part of this question. According to the information that SET could attain, more than 50 percent of AUIS’s income comes from Kurdistan Regional Government, which its PM is the founder and head of AUIS’s Board of Trustees. People were calling for his resignation; this was not a jock that was to be heard around AUIS. The threat on the government was the threat on AUIS, and anyone could tell this form the face of AUIS faculty members. Closing this private university paid by KRG was almost becoming reality. Hence, the ironic restrictions by AUIS were understandable.

Luck or more better to say bullet was in favor of both AUIS and KRG. The demonstrations were resolved and suppressed when gun-power put into work. When the demonstrations resolved, participants, journalists and activists faced serious threats. Threats continued to prolong and even increased. This seems to be the case at AUIS as well. Recently, this blessed institution have involved in this filthy game.

When students organized their march and joined Azadi Square, many teachers have joined students. They supported what students supported and they showed their sympathy. Some of them participated in the demonstrations and wrote about what was happening to inform outsiders. For the sake of their safety we refuse to give their names. This never being what the administration wants; thus, now the university is putting pressure on them. They have been called in and asked not to interact with students because, “it is not in the favor of the university”.

Now, AUIS under the pressure of some pro-ruling students is putting pressure on the instructors who partook with the students in the demonstrations. This is an unfair game and AUIS must stop this.

Unfortunately, from the beginning AUIS suffered from personal preferences. Though, the university claims to have concert rules and unchangeable standards, this never being what we have experienced in reality. One not favored by the administration was always vulnerable to be dismissed. Lamentably, this image still exists.

The fight between neo-cons and conservatives, sex scandals and constant back clashes with those who left AUIS, can show the internal conflicts among AUIS faculty members. Thus, anyone upholding an idea smells different from the ones of Green Zone will not have a space at AUIS. Via an ironic hereditary system, the father and daughter, wife and husband and brother and sister, serve at AUIS. This doesn’t matter as long as they don’t smell a mixture of sweat and garlic, in other word as long as they are not “having” anything against the administration they will be “fine”.

AUIS does not have any right to put pressure of any of its students and teachers. The university is gravely suffering from the lack of “qualified instructors”, and with it will change nothing. Now many are on the go-list (SET will soon publish few of them), which will leave AUIS with nothing other than last moment-hiring, as it is the costume. It’s time for AUIS to stop teasing students and teacher and concentrate on the university needs as an educational institution not a political reckoning arena.

“What should you do” Dr. David Baum Asked AUIS Students

2011-07-03T22:22:00.000+03:00

Dr. David Baum

While Dr. David Baum’s students continue to suffer, AUIS refuses to listen. After hacking his account, Dr. Baum with the help of his students continues to protest about hacking his account and not letting him to grade his students’ final projects. This event reveals an old discourse between Dr. Baum and the AUIS administration.

Students started a campaign to support Dr. Baum. “We Want Only Dr. Baum to Grade Our Papers” is the name of the campaign that has been announced to support Dr. David Baum. It is worth mentioning that Dr. Baum has taught at AUIS for only two semesters. The conflict began, as Dr. Baum posted on his Facebook account, early of spring semester when he could not come back on time after a short trip to Israel.

“What should we do” was tittle of a note that Dr. Baum posted on his Facebook account. Because of the particularity of the note, SET has decided to publish the note as it was published. Here is the note that Dr. Baum published on his Facebook page two hours ago:

“To all my AUIS students. I am very sorry for you today. Dr. James, who I respect, has lied right to your faces. He knows what the truth is but he has chosen instead to be the errand boy for Dr. Moulakis. I have offered, most recently yesterday, to grade your papers, and have done so without requiring a resolution of my contract issues with the school. The school has not responded to my emails. As for me giving you final grades on my own initiative, this is not possible; as you all now know the school hacked and then cut off my email. I have not had access to your papers since Sunday. So, even if I chose to finish the job, the school had already prevented this option. So, do not be fooled by their lies.

What should you do? This is very difficult. I have tried to teach of you to stand by what you believe and what you think is right. What is right is to tell the school that you wil not accept any grade that I do not give you. There is no way that they can be fair to you. They do not know you as I do. On the other hand, at some point we must move on. I've also tried to teach you that sometimes there is no disgrace in pulling back and reconsidering your position. If you choose to continue to fight for fairness, I will stand by you. If you wish to yield to the school and move on, I will understand. Trust me, I will continue the cause back in the States when I return.

I am very proud of all of you. However this works out, you have done the right thing. I am genuinely touched and will always recall your loyalty and sense of justice.”

This note has been taken form Dr. David Baum’s Facebook page.

AUIS Has Hacked David Baum’s account

2011-07-01T12:54:00.000+03:00

After doing the final exams, students are waiting for getting their grades back. But, surprisingly, this seems not be the case for Dr. Baum’s students. Prof. Baum confirmed this and wrote on his Facebook account, “To my AUIS students. The university has hacked my email in order to have access to your papers even without your permission. This is an outrage and you should let it be known that you will not accept any grade that I haven't personally given you. If you receive a grade in a course you've taken from me immediately protest it. It will not be a fair assessment of your work throughout the term.”

This post comes early this evening. Professor Baum’s students started to comment his post and both their support and worry. Students ask while their instructor is no longer here to give them their grads, who will?

Student Eye will provide you with the forthcoming information.

James Harrigan Will Leave AUIS

2011-07-01T12:41:00.000+03:00

Dr. James Harrigan

Dean of the Students, Dr. James Harrigan will not come back next semester. However the news was not confirmed formally, it has become arguable among the AUIS students. The reason the Dr. James will not come back is getting a better job in the states, according the information that Student Eye attained.

The news has been passed away that Dr. Darcy will take Dr. Harrigan’s position.

Dr, Darcy was the dean of the AUIS faculty, and he is well-known for not being friendly with students. Closer to hand, in his first interaction with a group of students, as the new dean, he insulted them.

But after a while, he apologized the students and decided to listen to them, but the students refused and left his office. After spreading of this news, some students feel worry, and they believe that Dr. Darcy will not able to solve the problems that AUIS faces continually.

AUIS Students Don’t like iPad 2

2011-06-23T22:46:00.000+03:00

For the second time, a HIS 201 instructor at AUIS put his lovely iPad 2 in auction. The iPad is put up for auction two times so far, but it seems that no one wants to buy it.

It seems ironic, yet it is justified as both because he has a good relationship with the Dean of the Students and he is a history instructor and his iPad has a history.

In a capitalist society, all work for more interest. Workers in coal mines in Manchuria and financiers at Wall St. Or even, the instructor in his class can do “business” as long as it is fair and fairly supervised. No matter, or who cares, when class time is dedicated for buying and selling iPads.

Drily, what here we care about is why AUIS students don’t want to put what they have learned into practice? What was the price of Mr. Instructor’s iPad? Or why this iPad is so special and why this instructor wants to sell it to his students?

If the price is affordable or if there would be any discount, Student Eye Team would think about buying that iPad and safe Mr. Instructor and his class.

Where is Pat Cline’s Notebook?

2011-06-22T20:41:00.002+03:00

Few days ago all of a sudden, in one of his classes, Pat Cline’s notebook disappeared. Pat
Cline is a senior lecturer at the American University of Sulaimani. Mr. Cline, “seem to have no control over himself because of losing his notebook”, one of his students told Students Eye.

After disappearance of his notebook, Mr. Cline has told his students, “I have to, either forgive you or punish you. I choose the second one. Your Final Exam will be twice harder than the mi-term exam.”
This decision was made when Mr. Cline made sure that students filled out the evaluation forms, which is given to the students for each course at the end of each semester.
Students are terrified. They gathered to voice their concerns and go to Mr. James Harrigan, Dean of the Students.
“What will happen to us?” Mr. Cline’s students are asking. Many students, due to fearing the consequences if their names are mentioned by Student Eye, asked their names not to be mentioned. "If no one stops Mr. Cline, many students will suffer the consequences of his temporary ill-humored mode" one of his students siad.

Student Eye will bring you the latest on this issue

I Have A Dream

2011-06-19T21:20:00.000+03:00

by: Bahman A. Hassan

I have a dream, perhaps not far different from Karwan or MLK’s dreams. My dream is still alive, and it is somewhere around AUIS. After almost five years, AUIS is fighting failure and shaky changes every day in new fashions. However, spearheads promised better “quality” and “freedom” for their offerings, yet none of these seem to be harvestable. Though, the source(s) of these “decapitating” waves are known, we shall not stop here and we must strive to prove what we belief. We came here (each visualizing a “Utopia” of a kind) seeking both better “quality” and “freedom”, but all our efforts has been misinterpreted.

Long ago, or from the beginning of Student Eye, we insisted and said, “We are here to make a difference, not to be loved.” However, being loved by the dean, instructors or provost may secure a certain pass. We faced complete rejection almost by everyone, from the lady of Finance Department, Dean of the Students, instructors to the Provost.

Let us now concentrate on my plain dream, which I am sure it’s the dream of many. I fought hardly to chase my dream in spite all the difficulties. I believe in my dream, and I hope one day others understand how my dream is attached to theirs’.

I have a dream that one day; if I am investigated with for “insulting a lady in the Finance Department”, I will be treated as a human not a criminal. Yet, I have a dream that one day my Comp instructors help me to use Comma, Semicolon and Quotation marks correctly. I hope someday, I can understand the difference (s) between Comp I, Comp II and “active and passive voice”. I have a dream that one day my Comp instructor will understand my paper before giving me “F” with no clear reason.

I shall not stop dreaming as there is not much that can be done in reality. Thus, I have a dream that one day when I punch or I throw a bottle of water at my instructor, I am saluted with smile as nothing has ever happened. I have a dream that the “sissy and ugly” Comp instructor will stop using F words in class. Or ironically, I have a dream that soon he is promoted as he has good links with his superiors and for he is good at the “art of self-interest preservation”.

I have a dream that next semester I have my American History with the instructor whose class is between 15 to 20 minutes. I have a dream that before the end of this semester my history instructor will change slides a bit slower.

I rather want to proceed. I have a dream that one day AUIS will understand what we do and do want to say. I hope soon the dean will understand that those who sent to him for “integration” for cheating are not all cheaters. I have a dream that one day AUIS students will learn to write their papers by themselves not through KEP (Kabab Exchange Program). I hope soon my fellow students stop “cheating”, because they are already being accused, no matter they have cheated or not.

I have a dream that someday the work of all, rich, poor, financially aided, and sponsored students are treated equally. Even though, I know it is hard and hurts a lot, I have a dream that we will all share for the good not ill of the university. I have a dream…You shall have yours...

Who Won the AUIS BUsiness Plan Competition

2011-06-16T13:24:00.000+03:00

After weeks, the day has come. Students as well as participants are waiting for the AUIS Business Plan Competition results.

Finally, next week on Sunday, June 19^ththe winners will be announced, and the event will be held in Room 26. All students are welcomed.

Peshawa Ahmed, the president of the Business Club, wrote on an event, which has been created on Facebook, that, “Three students are to be rewarded." Further, Peshawa, explained that, “the rewards will be surprising."

The event has been held and supported by the local businesses and Business without Border. Meanwhile, the prizes are also provided by Business without Boarder and the local business.

Evaluations Started: A Letter From SE Team

2011-06-12T19:58:00.000+03:00

Since Evaluate AUIS is part of Student Eye, we have to explain few things for our readers. We have no intention other than helping our fellow students. Therefore, this blog will give the American University of Iraq- Sulaimani, students freedom to access their, university policies, faculty members, academic quality and studying environment. Our objectives are simple and we want to help the university to have appropriate procedures. We do not call for dismissing anyone, yet we want to give students space to voice their arguments.

Over the last four years evaluations ended in vain, due to bad assessments or lack of decisiveness by the university administrators; thus, with this humble effort we want to see what students want and how the university can be improved.

We are not responsible for what and how students express their feelings, suggestions and critiques. All the information provided on this blog is directly taken from 2010-2011, Academic Catalogue of the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani. Thus, we are not responsible, in case any of the provided information turned to be not valid.

Student Eye Team

Student Council Lost Its First Game

2011-06-05T23:21:00.001+03:00

Jews say, “We are the chosen people” while Arabs think that God has been online with them, spoke “with” then in Arabic, and promised them Palestine back. This along many other examples, come to my mind to be parallel with the “Great Students Council” at AUIS. Few words amused me when I heard this body of students has been created. Students, Council and AUIS, have always been source of limitless astonishment. Seven students became the “chosen students” but spoken “to” in English. On what base you may want to ask. Who are they and what this council is for? Or most importantly, who chose them?

Once, the Communication Department head played an unfair game with them. He gave them seven logos, different, as I was told, from all aspects, but unfortunately they could not make any differences. The goal was, when I asked, to have them choose one logo to be the university’s new logo which was to be set with the new name that was refused. It was unfair, they should have known that they were “fooled” and never asked them to cover the result of their shameful game. They were, the “Student Consul”, this suggest a lot for anyone. How is that happened? Why didn’t they notice anything or why did they play a game fearing the results?

+ They are form the “Best Students”, they answered when I asked who are they. I delighted as “best” exist at AUIS, yet I felt sorry for them as they “best” were used and fooled.

+ They are asked to write a constitution. Not much known about the constitution, but the first draft is at the Deen’s office probably to check its grammatical mistakes.

+ They were selected by their professors on the base of the As they have in their courses. With little scrutiny, one will soon understand that it is not the case. Even, if it would be the case, why only A students?

They were sent to the Dean. With tiniest amount of effort, one would imagine that they have been yield at, if not only once, many times.

What will the constitution be like? Perhaps, it will be a well written piece of writing like the one was posted on the door of my Comp instructor, “____ will not be have class today” Or further, I predict, it will be like the “Honor Code” posted on a wall opposite to the toilets. Many read it but very few understand its true meaning. It will be out soon and will without any hesitation be approved, as no one knows what is it about.

AUAF Students Ask Student Eye for Help

2011-06-05T19:17:00.000+03:00

A group of American University of Afghanistan students asks Student Eye for help. This comes after student Eye published a post of new dorm fees set by American University of Sulaimani. In their post for Student Eye team, AUAF students wrote, ‘we (as the student at AUAF) have many difficulties in common.”

They continue on explaining their situation in Afghanistan and the problems they face in their university. High dorm and tuition fees seem to be among their concerns. Meanwhile, for addressing their difficulties, AUAF students have decided to follow Student Eye model.

The reason of encouraging Student Eye by AUAF students “is to get some help and advice from you guys regarding how we can operate in a way to get most out of our movement.”

Student Eye team in return, have decided to give AUAF students all that can be presented for the sake of establishing a more fertile educational environment.

Young Actors Resurrected Shakespeare, AUIS Clapped for Them

2011-06-02T22:31:00.000+03:00

Saman's funny moves excited everyone - photo courtesy of AUIS SC

On a sandy Thursday in Sulaimani, the American University of Iraq-Sulaimani came together to witness the AUI-S Shakespeare Company performing a Shakespearean play.

Large crowds of AUI-S students and before them the faculty members arrived at the Sulaimani Culture Hall to watch "What's in a Name?".

The audience filled the seats in few minutes. The faculty members had hurried to take the seats at the front. Some of the actors' family members had also come to see their generations on the stage.

With pieces of music, interrupted laughters, and applauses between now and then, began the play.

The Dialogues and speeches, though not very clear, caused great excitement among the students and faculty member.

Ahmed al-Nuaimi, Hemn Muhammad, Kardo Kamil, Umnya Nadhir, Mina Bassam al-Attar, Shunas Hussein, Saman Karim, Huda al-Serhan, Anas al-Samarai, and Nawaf Ashur rocked at the play.

Kardo Kamil, whose postures reminded many of Macbeth, spoke to Student Eye.

He told us that he was overwhelmed with joy when he show all the respect and appreciation from the crowd.

"i was very excited, especially when i stood on the stage and heard the crowd clapping for me. I appreciate what they have done for us and hope they liked it," he said.

Kardo has been working for more than two semesters on Macbeth's role. He says that he will miss Macbeth. He also told us the difficulty that they faced when preparing for the show.

"Shakespeare's language is difficult with too many complicated phrases. It is difficult even for native speakers. So the language was the main difficulty we faced," he stated.

Jwan Farhad, an AUIS student from Ranya, appreciates the actors for their great performance.

"The play was fabulous and the actors were really amazing. We all know that the Shakespeare's plays and language are not that easy but our AUIS students did their best. I am, as a sudent of AUIS , proud of today's play," she said.

She only wishes to have better decoration next time.

Afan Osman, another AUIS student, believes that the play was the best activity ever at AUIS.

"I can't wait to see their next performance. The actors were all confident, brilliant, and they proved that they can do anything," he said.

AUIS Shakespeare Company, says Kardo, is not planning to repeat the show, but they have other plans.

"We may start working on a complete play of Shakespeare. That, of course, will be more difficult and challenging," he said.