Part of the Activities organized on the Fifth Day of Al-Mustaqbal Sustainability Week Festival, Al-Mustaqbal University hosted a Dialogue Session entitled “Humanization of Cities: People & Identity within Sustainable Urban Planning” It is remarkable to note that a distinguished group of Academics specialized in Architecture and Urban Planning have attended the Session, whereas the discussion has been conducted by the Architect & Sustainable Urban Design Expert Ms. Omaima Kadhim Al-Taie, focusing on the theme of “Cities Humanization", a Concept, which links Urban Spaces with Human Dignity, and emphasizing the importance of City Planning based on Human Needs and Cultural Identity. The Session has been launched with a set of remarks raised by Prof Dr. Ahmed Abdul-Ali Rasheed, an Expert in Sustainable Architecture and Iraq s Representative at the Green Metrics Foundation, in which he referred to the Comprehensive Vision, in addition to stressing the necessity of connecting Urban Design with Daily Life, and confirming that “Cities should be built for people, not at their expense,” being part of Urban Planning, which takes into consideration both Human Dignity and Environment. For her part, Dr. Venus Suleiman Akif, an Architect, Winner of "Tamayouz Excellence Award", has raised Fundamental Questions regarding how to transform Cultural Identity and Architectural Heritage into bases, on which Future Cities shall be constructed. Besides, she has highlighted her International Experiences, particularly her previous participation in Global Forums, such as those of the UN General Assembly. Another Expert, Dr. Sam’an Majid Bayas, Head of Architecture Department at the University of Diyala, has also emphasized the role of Sustainable Tourism in revitalizing historic centers, being an effective means, where people are connected to the Memory of a Place through Sensory Engagement and Authentic Experience of Architectural Environment. It is worth noting that the Session has been marked by its Depth of Discussions and the diversity of perspectives, serving as an opportunity to open Broader Dialogues that would reshape the Relationship between People and their Cities within a framework balancing Urban Development with the Preservation of Cultural and Environmental Identity. Finally, we should note that this Session does constitute an essential part of a Series of Rich Events, conducted during Al-Mustaqbal Sustainability Week Festival, where many issues related to Urban Sustainability, Education, Energy, Climate Action, and Effective Partnerships have been raised, with the aim of achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

On the Fourth Day of Al-Mustaqbal Sustainability Week Festival, Al-Mustaqbal University organized a Dialogue & Discussion Session within the Activities of Al-Mustaqbal Forum for Civil Society Organizations and Private Sector, entitled: From Vision to Reality: A Dialogue Session Focusing on the Role of Private Sector and Universities in the Creation of Sustainable Cities Being attended by Academic and Professional Personalities, the Session has been conducted by the Architect Ms. Omaima Kadhim Al-Taie, a Specialist in Sustainable Urban Design, who launched the Discussion with her emphasis that the Integration of Public and Private Sectors, along with Academic and Community Institutions, does form indeed a Fundamental Pillar in the shaping of a more Equitable and Sustainable Urban Environment. It is worth noting that the Session has witnessed an active participation of Prominent Figures, including Dr. Batoul Mowaffaq Kadhim, Head of Al-Farahidi University Council and the Academic Advisor to the First Deputy of Iraqi Representatives Council. The Session has mainly focused on the Presentation of an Advanced Vision related to transforming Private Universities into Key Players in the development of Sustainable Environment through Curricula, Tangible Practices, and Purposeful Urban Planning, as well as their active role in shaping Societal Awareness that would promote a Sustainability Culture. Besides, Dr. Haidar Al-Kfaishi, a Consulting Architect and Founder of “Sustainable Green Smart Cities” Organization, has raised inquiries regarding the vital impact of Civil Society Organizations in the improvement of Urban Life Quality and enhancement of Social Cohesion, despite the Challenges and Constraints that these Organizations do face in Dynamic and Complicated Environments. Additionally, Dr. Zuhair Nassar, an Assistant Professor and Consultant in the Field of Smart Design and BIM Technologies (Building Information Modelling) has delivered a Presentation, in which he has emphasized the importance of Partnerships between Private Sector and Urban Institutions, calling for adopting Modern Technology and Digital Innovation in the implementation of Sustainable Urban Development Projects so as to achieve Long-Term Transformations that would contribute to creating Smart and Environment-Friendly Cities. Finally, we are obliged to note that the Session has come up with a set of Recommendations that urge and encourage different types of Cooperation and Coordination among Universities, Civil Society Organizations, Private Sector, and Government Entities through the application of an Integrated Approach based on Innovation, Awareness, and Joint Planning, being identified as Key Tools for building more Equitable, Greener, and Sustainable Cities in accordance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, as well as SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

It is considerable to note that Rehabilitation, Employment, and Follow-Up Division at Al-Mustaqbal University keeps on playing a pivotal role in supporting Students and enabling them to enter Labor Market by creating Job Opportunities that would match the various Academic Specializations. These efforts are deemed as part of a series of Strategic Partnerships that the Division has established with a selected group of Private Sector Companies across various fields, which include Medicine, Engineering, Telecommunications, Information Technology, Employment Services, and other vital sectors. Through this Initiative, the Division has aimed to strengthening Direct Communication between Students and Labor Market by providing a Unique QR Code for each Participating Company, allowing Students to access data and information related to available Services, Activities, as well as Job Opportunities. Thus, Students Professional Horizons shall be broadened, and meanwhile, gaining a closer understanding to Labor Market Demands. Besides, and part of this initiative, the Division has organized a Job Exhibition in collaboration with Partner Companies, during which a number of the University Students coming from different Programs have been employed. There is no doubt that this Practical Step shall lead to transforming Partnerships into Real Employment Opportunities. Accordingly, the Activity in question has received wide interest and participation from Students, due to creating tangible opportunities that would help Students and Graduates start their Careers in their Favorite Fields. Furthermore, it is considered a positive step toward equipping them with the Experiences and Skills needed while facing Labor Market Challenges. Finally, we should note that through this Initiative, Rehabilitation, Employment, and Follow-Up Division has been emphasizing its ongoing commitment to supporting Students Progress and developing their Abilities, in addition to effectively contributing in the establishment of a Sustainable Educational and Professional Environment that would keep pace with Modern Developments as well as meeting the needs of both Local and International Markets.

The overall training and awareness courses implemented by Al-Mustabal University regarding the Riyada initiative were not limited to introducing the initiative and the mechanisms for starting small projects, but rather extended to marketing ideas and transforming them into real projects or services based on added value, and thus the idea is applicable on the ground on the one hand and meets the market needs and the citizen's ambitions on the other hand. It is also important to classify graduates' projects into two types of projects: service and production projects. By service projects, we mean projects that are limited to providing non-material, i.e. intangible services, such as consulting services, for example, and technical support and advice. As for production projects, i.e. those that provide products that have a physical existence, of a service nature from some angle, these products have a service angle, but in terms of the goals and ultimate purpose for which they are obtained. Apart from these specifications, we point out that service projects are considered among the fastest growing industries in terms of potential revenues compared to other industries, such as retail or manufacturing; because they can be quickly expanded horizontally versus vertically. This means that service entrepreneurs have more leverage when it comes to negotiating service prices and contracts. Category: - Al-Mustabal University Graduates

Project Type: - Production Project Wood Production and Manufacturing Workshop Project Manager: - Abdullah Habib Location: - Babylon - Al-Hashimiyah District

Project Type: Service Project Decoration Design Workshop Project Manager: Abdullah Rafid Location: Babylon - 80th Street