“Our mission today is to shed light on the mystical, intellectual, and social dimensions of Sheikh Ahmed Barzani. At Mergasur Technical Institute, we believe that technical and academic progress must go hand-in-hand with national, religious, and cultural awareness. We must continuously honor our diverse faiths and national social values.”
Academic Review and Discussion The author, Rashid Mulla Ali Koleki, shared insights into the significance of the work and the extensive research process involved in its writing. Following the author’s remarks, Asst. Prof. Dr. Hoshang Saleh provided a comprehensive scientific evaluation and review of the book’s content, detailing its value to the audience and the broader academic community. Conclusion and Recognition This marks the third consecutive year that the Mergasur Technical Institute has organized this scientific forum. The primary goal of this year’s session was to provide a scholarly platform for this invaluable literary work. At the conclusion of the forum:
Copies of the book were distributed to all attendees.
Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the author, Rashid Mulla Ali Koleki, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Hoshang Saleh Mohammed Sharif for their contributions to the event. Media Department Mergasur Technical Institute
Asst. Prof. Dr. Talib Mohammed Sharif, Dean of Mergasur Technical Institute.
Prof. Dr. Edrees Mohammed Tahir Harki, President of Erbil Polytechnic University.
Dr. Khanzad Ahmad, Secretary General of the High Council of Women and Development.
Members of Parliament, academic personalities, and government and political officials. Opening Remarks by the Dean The ceremony commenced with a welcoming speech by Asst. Prof. Dr. Talib Mohammed Sharif, Dean of the Institute. In his address, he emphasized the vital role of the Oak tree in Kurdish identity:
“Our strategy at Erbil Polytechnic University and Mergasur Technical Institute is to serve as a scientific hub that addresses community challenges through research. This panel, organized by our Department of Herbal Medicine, highlights the environmental, medicinal, nutritional, and cultural significance of the Oak tree.”
The Dean further noted that environmental protection in the Barzan region is a century-old legacy rooted in the leadership of the Barzan Sheikhs, from Sheikh Abdulselam Barzani to President Masoud Barzani, who famously stated: “The people of Kurdistan are like Oak trees.” Keynote Addresses Following the Dean, Prof. Dr. Edrees Mohammed Tahir Harki (President of EPU) and Hakeem Teli (Deputy Supervisor of the Soran Independent Administration) delivered speeches. They focused on the historical importance of Oak forests in Kurdistan’s ecosystem and their symbolic status in the Barzan area. The Scientific Panel The core of the event featured a specialized discussion moderated by Abdulrahman Ali Mohammed, an expert in public policy and strategic planning. The panel included:
Asst. Prof. Dr. Hadar Sayid Faizi: Head of the Environmental Department at the University of Duhok.
Dr. Hardi Kakakhan Awla: Lecturer at the College of Agriculture, Salahaddin University.
Fakhir Mela Ali: Researcher and Specialist. The discussions linked traditional knowledge with modern research frameworks, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land) and the Kurdistan Regional Government’s “Green Development” strategies. Cultural Segment and Closing The event also featured a literary segment where poems dedicated to the Oak tree were recited:
Poet Hazim Blayi performed two original poems.
Evan Sardar, a nursing student at the Institute, recited a poem by the artist Kazim Koyee. The ceremony concluded with the distribution of certificates of appreciation to the moderator and the panelists for their contributions to environmental advocacy and academic discourse.
