The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) welcomes students of all cultures, faiths, and backgrounds to study in an environment of tolerance and academic excellence, promoting quality, individual dignity, and justice.
The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) is an open academic community, based on the best tradition of higher education, dedicated to forming the next generation of leaders to serve with professional excellence in Kurdistan, Iraq, and internationally, for the common good, and the dignity of the human person.
As a member of the worldwide community of Catholic Universities, CUE will be able to introduce its students to some of the finest scholars in the world who will regularly be present as professors and teachers here on the CUE campus.
CUE students also have the ability to communicate and participate virtually with our partner universities in Australia, the USA, and Europe.
About CUE President Prof. Dr. Nazar Shabila
Nazar P. Shabila is a Professor of Community Medicine. He holds a degree in medicine (MBChB) from the University of Salahaddin-Erbil (1993), an MSc in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (2007), and a Ph.D. in Community Medicine from Hawler Medical University (2012).
Professor Shabila worked for Hawler Medical University as a teaching staff member from 2008 to 2022. He taught several courses and topics to undergraduate and postgraduate students, including the epidemiology of communicable diseases, health economics, health information, biostatistics, and demography. He also taught teaching methods and pedagogy training courses for the new teaching staff.
Professor Shabila has published more than 75 research articles in high-ranked international journals. His current research is mainly related to health services research, conflict and health, women’s health, and medical education. He has obtained and managed several research and educational development grants. He served as Editor in Chief for Zanco Journal of Medical Sciences (2017-2022) and Associate Editor for BMC International Health and Human Rights (2018-2021).
Professor Shabila has participated in several training courses in project management, consulting process, educational development, and higher education management. He has extensive experience in higher education management and leadership with broad knowledge of the higher education system in the Kurdistan region and Iraq. He held the position of vice president for scientific affairs and postgraduate studies at Hawler Medical University from 2017 to 2022. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) since 2015.
Professor Shabila is an alumnus of the Chevening program (UK), International Visitor Leadership Program (US), and NUFFIC (Netherlands), and a fellow of the John Smith Trust Rule of Law program (UK) and The Enhancing Life Project (US-Germany). He is also a Moderator of the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
Before pursuing his academic career, he established seven years of experience in the humanitarian relief field by working with the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations Office for the Project Services (IDPs Project), and several international NGOs to address the needs of internally displaced people and strengthen the medical services.
The CUE Logo – Explained
- The symbol, in general, is streamlined in dimensions which reflects the streamlined dimensions of the intellect.
- The pyramid shape and two lines on top symbolize the Babylonian design and Mesopotamian culture.
- The letter centering the gate shape refers to the first letter of Chaldean language ALAP (A) that descended from the Mesopotamian languages that first invented writing. Also, the letter ALAP (A) refers to the first letter of Arbil city name.
- The opened book shape in the middle of the pyramid shape dragging downward refers to the knowledge that emerged from the depth of civilization heading to the future.
- The shape of the gate at the bottom symbolizes the Erbil Citadel.
The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) takes as its mission the formation of future leaders fulfilling society and world needs, the advancement of cohesive communities, and the promotion of peaceful coexistence. CUE’s task is to prepare students academically and culturally through an education that offers both knowledge and values, which uphold and sustain the common good.
Our vision is to empower students to contribute to the advancement of local and global communities through an emphasis on excellence in teaching and research. We strive to make an environment that respects and values human dignity, forming future leaders who promote peace and justice.
Philosophy and Values
The CUE is a non-profit higher education and scientific research institution. It welcomes students from all cultures, religions, and educational backgrounds in an environment of tolerance and academic excellence. It stresses quality teaching and learning, peace, and justice.
It represents an open academic community based on the best higher education standards. It is dedicated to preparing the coming generation of professional leaders to work with competence and excellence in KR, Iraq and the world at large for the common good and human dignity.
Excellence
In teaching, research, scholarship, creative endeavors, student services and in all aspects of the University’s operations is continuously pursued at the University to ensure institutional effectiveness and efficiency.
Dedication
Reflected in our distinctive work ethic and in our commitment to excellence
Inclusion
Reflected in a culture and climate that seeks, welcomes and advances talented minds from diverse backgrounds
Integrity
Honest communications, ethical behavior and accountability for words and deeds are expected from all members of the University community.
Collaboration
Reflected in our interdisciplinary approach, our focus on internal and external partnerships and our capacity to create new fields of inquiry
Life-Long Learning
Encouraging enthusiastic, independent thinkers and learners striving for personal growth.
Leadership
Seeks to provide rigorous academic curricula and challenging co-curricular opportunities to promote the development of leadership qualities in students and to facilitate leadership development among faculty, staff and students.
Sustainability
Reflected in our shared commitment to lead by example in preserving and protecting our natural resources and in our approach to responsible financial planning.