Media Statement on the Sixth Graduation Ceremony of Catholic University in Erbil

In the presence of His Beatitude Mar Paul III Nona, Patriarch of the Chaldean Church in Iraq and the World, as well as representatives of religious institutions, government authorities, civil society organizations, and a number of distinguished priests and bishops, in addition to representatives of diplomatic missions operating in the Kurdistan Region, Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) celebrated the graduation of the sixth cohort of students on 30 September 2026. The 2025–2026 class comprises 145 students from eight different departments.

Over the past years, CUE has achieved significant academic accomplishments, including notable positions in prestigious international and regional rankings. The University has also played an important role in serving the wider community through organizing and hosting a wide range of conferences, programs, and community initiatives.

More recently, the University was ranked among the top-tier institutions in the Kurdistan Region in the overall 2025 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings. It was also ranked first among private universities in the Kurdistan Region and fourth among private universities across Iraq according to the Arab Universities Ranking issued by the Arab Ranking Council, which operates under the General Secretariat of the Arab League.

The University is currently awaiting a decision from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) regarding its candidacy for accreditation, following the successful completion of the eligibility stage. MSCHE is one of the prominent institutional accreditation bodies in the United States and is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for its rigorous standards and commitment to educational excellence in the United States and internationally, while also promoting innovation across higher education institutions.

At the national level, CUE has already received Eligibility Status from the Kurdistan Accreditation and Assurance of Education (KAAE), making it the first and only university in Erbil, and one of only two universities in the Kurdistan Region, to attain this status. The University is currently preparing to move to the next stage of its local accreditation journey.

It is worth noting that CUE currently offers 14 different academic programs on its campus and is working to introduce new programs that respond to labor-market needs and international developments across a range of fields.

Media Office
Catholic University in Erbil
1 October 2026