Sulaimani, Iraq - Sep. 28, 2011- American University Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) recently was listed as the best private university in the Kurdistan Region, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.  The ranking was announced Sept. 27, 2011 in Awena newspaper. 

The Ministry ranked private higher education institutions in the Kurdistan Region based on quality of education and contributions to improving the overall educational quality offered in the region.  Specifically, the Ministry lauded AUIS’ all-English instruction, high standard of education, international partnerships, long-term goals, and capability and preparedness of its graduates.

AUIS has established an Office of Institutional Development and Research as part of its commitment to maintaining high academic standards in the region.  This office is responsible for ensuring that AUIS meets standards set by U.S. accreditating organizations as well as those established by the KRG Ministry of Higher Education.

Numerous other factors were considered when comparing the private universities.  Ministry representatives visited each university campus to evaluate their curriculum and academic programs, facilities, educational resources, campus environment, library, labs, dormitories, and cafeteria.  The universities’ missions, short-term and long-term goals, internal structure, profit levels, and administrative systems also were taken into account. 

According to the Ministry, this was the first in what is planned to be an annual rankings to help prospective university students and their parents evaluate the quality of private higher education offered in the Kurdistan Region. AUIS is the only non-profit university among the top-ranked institutions. A full list of the private university ranking in the Kurdistan Region can be found here.

For more information about AUIS, please visit our website at www.auis.edu.iq.

For more information:
Kyle Long, AUIS Director of Communications, kyle.long@auis.edu.iq, +964 0770 461 5385