Autumn Festival 2025

The Autumn Festival 2025 gathered many people – students, their families and friends, and local residents, as well as people from afar – at the University of Human Development on 26 October. The event exhibited a variety of scientific, social and cultural activities, alongside traditional Kurdish food, desserts and drinks, making it one of the best times to visit the university.

The university president, Prof. Dr Mariwan Ahmed Rasheed, accompanied by members of the Presidential Council and several lecturers, opened the event at around 12 pm and toured the area. He expressed his appreciation to the people involved in organising the event and wished everyone a happy time.

The festival was decorated with canopy tents set around the main square of the UHD campus, under which food and drinks were served, handmade crafts were displayed, various arts were performed, and scientific projects by students were showcased. A stage was set up for various arts activities performed for the audience. The organisers were from UHD's Student Unit, who worked tirelessly over the past few days to create a beautiful occasion, making it memorable for participants and visitors. It included the following activities:

Traditional Kurdish music, a selection of Kurdish folk songs by Bokan Hawrami, handmade artefacts, cosmetic and beauty products, students' technological innovations, students' art and music performances, a live broadcast of the football match between Real Madrid and Barcelona, serving local and foreign food, and homegrown fruits, especially pomegranates, which are the most popular and consumed fruit in autumn in Kurdistan.

The live broadcast of the football match was something new in the history of UHD-held events and proved very popular. Fans enjoyed watching the match on a giant screen while sipping coffee and tea and nibbling on snacks. The car drifting activity was also new; it entertained many spectators.

Local media correspondents had a visible presence to cover the proceedings, and children from several schools also joined in and contributed to the event's music.

UHD holds various academic, cultural and sports activities, including its annual Spring Festival. The current festival was the first of its kind; however, it has every chance of being held every year.