Â鶹¹ú²úAV

Q: Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue civil and environmental engineering?

A: As the youngest child in a family that survived the Anfal Genocide, which left my father and grandfather permanently disabled and took my uncle’s life, I’ve always felt a deep responsibility to help my people in the Kurdistan Region. After earning my bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in my home country, I became increasingly aware of the severe flooding and environmental issues caused by poor water resource management and development practices. This realization fueled my desire to find practical engineering solutions to address these challenges.

Q: Why did you choose Â鶹¹ú²úAV for your graduate studies?

A: I was drawn to Â鶹¹ú²úAV because of its unique Civil and Environmental Engineering program, which offers innovative courses specifically designed to tackle water resource management challenges. I was particularly inspired by the U.S.’s use of Low Impact Development Best Management Practices and saw Â鶹¹ú²úAV as the ideal place to learn and research these strategies.

Q: What challenges did you face in pursuing your degree, and how did you overcome them?

A: One of the biggest challenges was obtaining a U.S. visa, as I faced multiple rejections. Despite these setbacks, I was determined to pursue my education. Â鶹¹ú²úAVGlobal provided invaluable support by awarding me a scholarship to start my studies online and later offering me a research assistantship. With their help, I eventually secured a student visa and joined the Â鶹¹ú²úAV campus in spring 2023.

Q: How did starting your studies online influence your journey?

A: Beginning my first semester online allowed me to experience Â鶹¹ú²úAV’s cutting-edge courses and reinforced my determination to study in the United States. The knowledge I gained during this period motivated me to persevere and work even harder to achieve my goals.

Q: What was the focus of your master’s thesis, and why did you choose that topic?

A: For my thesis, I wanted to give back to the community that had supported me. I chose to research the reuse of waste materials, which are both an environmental and economic burden. As the first U.S. researcher to study this specific material, I demonstrated its potential as an alternative construction material that can also help mitigate water quality degradation.

Q: What does graduating with your master’s degree mean to you and your family?

A: It’s a profoundly meaningful milestone. My parents, who narrowly survived the Anfal Genocide in 1988, will attend my graduation ceremony, making it a momentous occasion for our family. This event symbolizes resilience and transformation—from surviving immense hardship to celebrating my master’s degree in the United States.

Q: How has Â鶹¹ú²úAV helped you prepare for the future?

A: Â鶹¹ú²úAV has provided me with a high-quality, hands-on education and opportunities to conduct meaningful research. I’m deeply thankful to the university for making this dream a reality and for equipping me to serve my community and contribute to its development.