To revolutionize agricultural production in Kurdistan and Iraq, the University of Sulaimani has implemented a hydroponics project, commonly referred to as soilless cultivation, which was officially inaugurated on December 7, 2025, at the College of Agriculture. The event was attended by prominent figures, including Professor Dr. Kosar Mohammed Ali, President of the University of Sulaimani; Dr. Haval Abubakr, Governor of Sulaymaniyah; Asst. Prof. Dr. Zana Mahmood, Vice President for Scientific Affairs and Postgraduate Studies; Asst. Prof. Dr. Shirwan Hamasali, Vice President for Student Affairs; Dr. Bahzad Hamasalih, Dean of the College of Agriculture; Lava Hikmat, President of the VIM Foundation; and several faculty members.
During the event, Dr. Raman Qalandar, the project coordinator at the University of Sulaimani, delivered a speech emphasizing the initiative’s transformative benefits for Sulaymaniyah city and for students across undergraduate and postgraduate levels at the university.
Mohammed Kamil, the hydroponics project coordinator at the VIM Foundation, elaborated further in an interview with the “University Website,” describing the project as a pioneering approach to food production that leverages advanced technologies.
‘This initiative, developed collaboratively by the University of Sulaimani and the VIM Foundation, introduces sustainable soilless agriculture to reduce environmental impact, modernize agricultural practices in Kurdistan and Iraq, and strengthen the skills of farmers and students,’ Mr. Mohammed explained. ‘Its objectives include increasing domestic production, ensuring high-quality agricultural products, and contributing to societal well-being.’