The joint Institute of Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) at the University of Duhok, conducted the graduation research discussions for the third batch of students at their 3rd stage which is the last stage of study at this institute, on June 17-19, 2023, at the UOD’s Cultural and Social Center.

The IPP concerned about the program of providing Master’s Degree for its students, submitted by the UOD and two Germany universities: University of Tübingen and University of Baden-Württemberg. It receives students who are bachelor holders specialized in psychology, to complete their higher studies and obtain Master’s degree. Thus, the graduates will be psychotherapists deal with patients with different psychological disorders and traumas. Knowing that the provision of Master’s degree in the specialization of psychotherapy and psychotraumatology is something unique and new in higher education institutes.

The number of students who completed their Master thesis is 20 students. The discussions took place on 3 days in a row. The Discussion Committee were consisted of a number of local professors alongside 3 professors from the German Tübingen and Baden-Wurttemberg universities. The Committee were set as follows: Dr. Yousif Ali, from Duhok, as the Head and a member of the Committee, Dr. Perjan Hashim, from Duhok, as the Head and a member of the Committee, Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan, from Germany, as a member, Dr. Martin Hautzinger, from Germany, as a member, Dr. Gabriel Kornwnchs, from Germany, as a member, Dr. Remonda Ashaaya, from Duhok, as a member, Dr. Azad Ali, as a member, and Dr. Salim Alhakeem, as a member.

The IPP program is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany, the Ministry of Science, Research and Arts of Baden-Württemberg, Germany and the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service). The study system at the IPP follows the German study system and it is a 3-year study; the first year is considered as preparational for the following actual 2 years of Master study. Amid the first year, the students are required to accomplish internship in Germany as the first batch of IPP, or in Kurdistan, as the second and third batches. While, the third year at the IPP, is fully specified for graduation research projects, starting from the beginning of the year of study which for this batch, began in June, 2022, and came to an end in June 2023. The students involve in actual practical experience, practicing their role as psychotherapists and treat patients, following up their cases, and find solutions for their needs at the end. This experience helps the students to interact with the patients and benefit them from their knowledge gained during the study years.

One of graduation research projects was on "social anxiety", conducted by the student: Omed Hama Kareem, from Sulaimaniyah. "The social anxiety is related to a number of factors and causes that lower the self-confidence and make one feels insufficient due to some cognitive and environmental issues. The environmental factors come from false thoughts the patient holds for some reasons such as: having hard relationships with one of the parents in their childhood, or the patient was mocked by their peers at the school, and etc. The best solution is to change these feelings and thoughts to positive and helpful thoughts instead. On of the techniques used in these cases is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). It helps to release these thoughts through sessions between the patient and the therapist. During my study, I supervised 3 cases. They were finally improved very well psychologically and cognitively." He stated. He also recommended that we must adopt these techniques and practical therapy rather than only depending on psychiatric medications, as they aid the patient as short-term solution. Yet the practical therapy treats the patient as long-term healing, because it addresses the roots of any psychological issue.

THE UNIVERSITY OF DUHOK

The University of Duhok (UOD) is a public university in the city of Duhok city, which is about 150 km northwest of Erbil (Arbil, Hewlér), the capital of Iraq's Kurdistan Region (KRI). The city is situated in a beautiful valley surrounded by high mountains. The university campus is a large green area in the city's west side that provides an exciting view of the city and surrounding nature. UOD was founded in October 1992 with only two colleges to meet the region's growing demand for graduate professionals. Today, the UOD has a 19-college with 67 departments, nearly 24000 students, and over 4000 academic and administrative staff. Students thrive in one of the best regional academic communities, studying in programs such as Agriculture, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Architecture, Engineering, Humanities, Linguistics, Basic Education, and Economics as well as Spatial Planning. UOD has strong engagement through its International Relations with many Higher Education institutions and centres of excellence worldwide, such as Purdue University, Indiana University (IU), New York University (NYU), The University of Noter Dame (ND), The University of Arkansas at Little Rock (UA), BridgeWater State University in the USA, The University of Warsaw - Poland, The University of Glasgow - Scotland, The University of Twente - The Netherlands, Leipzig University, LLC University, University of Oldenburg, The University of Vechta, Europa-Universität Flensburg, TU Dortmund university, THM Giessen University in Germany, The University of Tuscia, The university of Pavia, Sapienza Università di Roma in Italy, The University of Deusto, The University of Barcelona, The University of Granada (UGR) in Spain, Lund University - Sweden, The University of Sussex in the UK, Tampere University - Finland, and so many more. The University of Duhok is an active member of the International Association of Universities (IAU), The UNIMED, the Mediterranean Universities Union, and The Association of Arab Universities (AARU).

UOD Media; June 20, 2023

Fatima Mahmood

Photo Credits: Mohammed AbdulKareem