The College of Engineering at the University of Sulaimani organized a significant symposium titled “Towards Earthquake Mitigation in Iraq: EMS-98 Adopted Vulnerability Assessment of Existing Buildings,” focusing on earthquake risk reduction and building assessment in Kurdistan and Iraq. The event, held on December 7, 2025, in the College of Engineering’s main hall, was the outcome of a collaborative project involving the University of Sulaimani, Tishk International University, and Bauhaus University in Germany. The initiative was financially supported by the DAAD organization.

The symposium was attended by Prof. Dr. Sirwan Khurshid, Dean of the College of Engineering, alongside representatives from Bauhaus University, faculty, and students from Tishk International University in Erbil and Sulaymaniyah, Komar University, Raperin University, as well as engineers from the public and private sectors.

The primary objective of the symposium was to disseminate the project’s goals, findings, field surveys, and methodologies for assessing buildings in Kurdistan. The event also provided a platform for sharing student experiences, capacity development, and discussions on innovative solutions for earthquake risk reduction.

In his keynote address, Prof. Dr. Sirwan Khurshid highlighted the symposium’s significance, stating, “This event represents a pivotal achievement, showcasing groundbreaking advancements in earthquake resistance and building assessment in Kurdistan and Iraq, aligned with international standards.”

Prof. Dr. Khurshid further acknowledged that the symposium resulted from a proposal by Asst. Prof. Dr. Chro Haider, Deputy Dean of the College of Engineering, developed in collaboration with Bauhaus University and Tishk International University. He commended the dedicated efforts of engineering faculty and students, who contributed significantly over the past eight months.

The project entailed training Civil Engineering students at the University of Sulaimani to assess buildings in Kurdistan according to international standards. Under the guidance of project managers—Prof. Dr. Sirwan Khurshid (University of Sulaimani), Prof. Lars Ibrahimchi (Bauhaus University), and Dr. Barham Haider (Tishk International University)—students conducted assessments of building resilience against earthquakes. This initiative is instrumental in providing accurate data to stakeholders to support the implementation of measures for strengthening structures and mitigating earthquake risks.