The Catholic University in Erbil marks ten years of growth, faith, and excellence with the Class of 2025.
Erbil, Kurdistan Region — The evening air was filled with pride and promise as the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) celebrated its Fifth Graduation Ceremony — a milestone that coincided with the 10th anniversary of the university’s founding. Under the gentle glow of the campus lights, families, faculty, and dignitaries gathered to honor not only the achievements of the Class of 2025, but also a decade of vision, faith, and resilience that has shaped CUE into one of Iraq’s most respected educational institutions.
IMAGE: Graduates and guests gathered at CUE’s main courtyard for the Fifth Commencement Ceremony
A Dual Celebration of Knowledge and Legacy
The ceremony opened with the traditional academic procession, led by the university’s colleges and departments — a vibrant display of academic unity and cultural diversity. The moment carried a deeper meaning this year: every graduate crossing the stage represented a story intertwined with the broader journey of the Catholic University in Erbil itself.
As the audience stood for the national anthem, honoring Iraq’s heroes and martyrs, there was a palpable sense of gratitude and reflection. Ten years earlier, CUE was born from a vision to plant a tree of knowledge and hope in a time of displacement and uncertainty. Today, that tree stands tall — a symbol of education’s power to heal and unite.
IMAGE: The academic procession enters the courtyard, led by faculty and deans
Archbishop Warda: “A Living Presence and a Voice of Hope”
His Grace Archbishop Bashar Matti Warda, Chairman of CUE’s Board of Trustees and one of its founding visionaries, delivered a deeply moving keynote address that traced the university’s journey from an idea to a national beacon of coexistence.
“This was not only an educational project,” Archbishop Warda said, “but a living answer to challenges that once sought to uproot Christians from their land. Our response was to plant a tree of knowledge in our beloved city of Erbil. We were, we are, and we will remain active citizens of this country.”
The Archbishop emphasized that CUE’s mission has always been rooted in dialogue, diversity, and dignity — values that define both the institution and the community it serves.
“Here at CUE,” he continued, “Christians, Muslims, and Yazidis sit side by side. They discover that what unites them is greater than what divides them. Every student’s story matters — because education is not about numbers, it is about people, about light, and about life.”Archbishop Warda also outlined five priorities guiding the next decade: academic excellence through international accreditation, educational equity through scholarships, the protection of Eastern heritage, responsible engagement in the age of artificial intelligence, and partnerships for peace and coexistence.
IMAGE: Archbishop Warda delivering his address during the ceremony
Messages of Support from Kurdistan’s Leadership
Representing His Excellency President Masoud Barzani, Mr. Hoshyar Zebari commended CUE’s role as a symbol of coexistence and resilience in the Kurdistan Region.
“When darkness spread across Iraq and the region, the Catholic University in Erbil became a source of light,” he said. “This institution is not only for one community — it welcomes Christians, Muslims, and Yazidis alike. Its success story is one that should be replicated across the country.”He reaffirmed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s support for CUE’s mission, calling the university a “bridge between communities and a cornerstone of peaceful living.”
IMAGE: Mr. Hoshyar Zebari delivering remarks on behalf of President Barzani
A Message from the Vatican: Blessings from Pope Leo XIV
The ceremony also featured a special moment of spiritual significance — a letter from His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, conveyed through His Grace Monsignor Edgar Peña Parra, Substitute for the Secretariat of State at the Holy See.
The message conveyed the Pope’s prayers and blessings to CUE’s leadership, faculty, graduates, and their families, commending the university’s commitment to faith, education, and service.
“The Holy Father remembers you and the Catholic University community in his prayers,” the letter read, “and he sends his blessings, which he willingly extends to the faculty and staff, as well as to the graduates and their families.”
A Step Toward International Recognition
A highlight of the evening was the announcement of CUE’s ongoing journey toward international accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) — a rigorous and prestigious process recognized globally.
The university also continues to work closely with the Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education (KAAE), where it serves as a pilot institution. These efforts reaffirm CUE’s commitment to quality, transparency, and academic excellence.
“Accreditation is not just a certificate,” the announcement video declared. “It’s about transforming how we teach, how our students learn, and how we prepare them to succeed in a global world.”
A Voice of Encouragement from the U.S. Consulate
Ms. Pamela Hack, Acting Consul General of the United States in Erbil, praised the university’s alignment with American-style higher education — emphasizing critical thinking, innovation, and community service.
“The American style of education is more than a method,” she said. “It’s a pathway to opportunity. By adopting this model, CUE is shaping the next generation of Kurdistan’s workforce — individuals capable of competing regionally and globally.”
She congratulated the graduates and faculty, urging them to continue driving progress and fostering creativity in their communities.
“The graduates before us,” she added, “are not just the leaders of tomorrow — they are the architects of a brighter, more prosperous Kurdistan.”
IMAGE: Pamela Hack, Acting U.S. Consul General in Erbil, addressing the audience
Finding the Way: The Student Voice
Among the evening’s most emotional moments was the heartfelt address from student representative Yohanna Yaqub Ezebari, titled “Finding the Way.”
Yohanna shared a deeply personal story of displacement, perseverance, and belonging — tracing his journey across towns and borders before finding a true home at CUE.
“I thought this is the place I’d stay,” he said, “and this time, I was right. I found my home here, with the help of the Catholic University in Erbil and my family at Aid to the Church in Need.”
His speech moved the audience, reflecting the experiences of many CUE students whose education was both a refuge and a renewal of hope.
“We stand here as people who walked through uncertainty and struggle,” Yohanna concluded. “Every step we took built the way forward. And maybe that’s what finding home truly means.”
President Nazar Shabila: “A Beacon of Hope and a Bridge to the Future”
CUE’s President, Prof. Dr. Nazar Shabila, officially conferred the degrees upon the Class of 2025, honoring their hard work, dedication, and resilience.
“Today we celebrate two great achievements,” he said, “the graduation of our Class of 2025 and the 10th anniversary of our university — a story of success built on excellence, unity, and service.”
He acknowledged the vital role of CUE’s faculty, staff, and partners — from the Kurdistan Regional Government and the Ministry of Higher Education to international donors and organizations that have supported the university’s journey.
“As you leave CUE,” Dr. Shabila told the graduates, “carry forward the knowledge, friendship, and values you have gained here. Serve your communities with integrity, uphold lifelong learning, and pursue your dreams with courage.”
IMAGE: President Dr. Nazar Shabila conferring degrees upon the graduates
Honoring Excellence and Looking Ahead
The ceremony continued with the awarding of honors to the top students from each department, followed by the degree distribution and the joyful cap toss — a symbol of both accomplishment and new beginnings.
As the graduates raised their caps into the sky, the hymn “You Are the Light of the World” echoed across the courtyard — a fitting close to an evening defined by light, hope, and unity.
A Decade of Faith, Knowledge, and Hope
The Catholic University in Erbil has, in its first decade, grown from a courageous idea into an institution that embodies the values of faith, learning, and service. It stands today not only as a university, but as a community of stories — where every graduate represents a triumph of resilience, diversity, and shared humanity.
As CUE enters its second decade, its mission remains steadfast: to be a place where education builds bridges, where every story finds a home, and where every student’s light continues to shine.
“Lord,” Archbishop Warda prayed in closing, “make our university an open house where every story finds its place. Give us the strength to remain together — witnesses of truth, carriers of hope that never dies.”
IMAGE: The Catholic University in Erbil celebrates a decade of light and learning