Historical Background
The Computer Science and Information Technology Departments came into being in 2016 with an aim of nurturing integrity and the societal impact of technology education in the region. This branch of computer science fosters strong partnerships with industry as well as learner-centred approaches to education, which empower students to construct solutions with ethical consideration. Concurrently, the information technology branch emphasizes bounded transformational educational pedagogy and technology to equip learners for local and global challenges. Both branches have grown over time through active labs, partnerships with key industrial stakeholders (including community-led initiatives) aimed at achieving an intersection of social responsibility and technological experience.
When the department first began, we started with 20 students, laying the foundation for what would become a thriving learning community. Over time, through dedication, quality education, and strong support, we’ve seen steady growth in our student body. Today, we are proud to have 140 active students, each contributing to a dynamic and engaging learning environment. This growth reflects our commitment to excellence and the trust students and families place in us.
The Department of Computer Science currently has four large labs that can accommodate up to 40 students. These labs are furnished with modern computers, laptops, and Arduino devices, which are necessary to operate the smart gadgets. There are numerous rooms designated for the Department’s students, each with space for up to fifty people and furnished with local computers and smart data displays. There is a section of the main library devoted to the department, which has 10,000 titles of soft copy books and over 500 titles of hard copy books.
Mission
The Information Technology (IT) Department provides students with practical expertise in information technology by fostering a deep understanding of core IT principles and theories, ethical professionalism, basic research and analytical problem-solving skills, aligned with internationally relevant certificate requirements embedded in the curriculum. We prepare graduates to design, implement, and manage technology-driven solutions that address real-world challenges, integrate emerging tools, and uphold ethical leadership standards while serving the evolving needs of industries and communities in Kurdistan and Iraq.
Vision
The Information Technology (IT) Department aims to be nationally recognized for academic excellence and research, empowered by analytical and innovative thinking, and by strengthening the relations with industry and international institutions to contribute to the sustainable development of IT applications that address the local market needs.
Program Learning Objectives
- Establish foundational knowledge of core IT principles and practices, including technical support, programming, networking, and cybersecurity, and draw logical conclusions from data and technical observations to make sound decisions in varied IT contexts.
- Design and improve IT-based solutions by creatively integrating existing knowledge and emerging technologies by comparing alternative tools, methods, or systems to select optimal solutions. Apply ethical reasoning and professional standards in analyzing and solving technical problems and managing information systems.
- Demonstrate effective communication skills, teamwork capabilities, and basic research skills needed to be successful in the workforce.
- Prepare students for the internationally recognized certification in IT, including but not limited to (CompTIA A+/Network+/Security+ (IT Fundamentals), AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner, Solutions Architect (Cloud Computing), Google Professional Certificates (Data Analytics, IT Support, Cisco CCNA (Networking), Certified Ethical Hacker (CEH) (Cybersecurity), Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals, etc).
Student Learning Opportunities
As part of the “Religious Mapping Erbil” Program, the CS & IT students from CUE participated in an educational exchange program in Germany, where they explored how technology can be used to document and represent religious diversity. During the visit, they attended workshops, visited religious institutions, and engaged with German scholars to deepen their understanding of digital mapping and interfaith coexistence. In addition to enhancing their technical skills in data visualization, the program also fostered cross-cultural awareness and dialogue. Ultimately, the experience offered valuable insights into the nature of religious diversity in both Erbil and Germany, enriching the students’ academic and personal perspectives. Moreover, the students received certificates from Asiacell after completing professional internships, which provided them with hands-on experience in collaboration with local companies. Through this opportunity, students applied their academic knowledge in real-world settings, developing skills in areas such as software development, system analysis, and IT support. Over several weeks, they worked alongside industry professionals, which significantly enhanced their practical expertise. As a result, the internship not only improved their technical abilities but also increased their employability and preparedness for future careers in the tech industry.
To celebrate this achievement, the students participated in an Asiacell Event organized in their honor. The event recognized their contributions and provided valuable networking opportunities, allowing them to engage in discussions and activities with professionals from the tech sector. This experience further solidified their industry connections and broadened their understanding of workplace dynamics.
In addition to these accomplishments, CUE students took the lead in organizing and executing the IT Day Symposium, a student-run event featuring workshops, tech talks, and networking sessions. Students showcased their innovative projects and interacted with industry experts, demonstrating both their technical knowledge and event management capabilities. Moreover, they played an active role in the “Digital Innovation in the Kurdistan Region” symposium, which highlighted emerging technologies, startup success stories, and digital initiatives led by the government. Throughout the event, students participated in panel discussions and workshops while networking with tech leaders, thereby gaining inspiration and practical insights. Collectively, these activities reflect CUE’s commitment to empowering students through experiential learning and industry engagement, strengthening the connection between academia and the evolving digital landscape of the Kurdistan Region.
Curricula
| First Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT1101 | Programming Fundamentals | 6.00 |
| 2 | IT1102 | Discrete Structure | 5.00 |
| 3 | IT1103 | Logic Design | 6.00 |
| 4 | IT1104 | Academic Debate | 4.00 |
| 5 | IT1105 | General English | 5.00 |
| 6 | IT1106 | Kurdish Language Kurdology |
4.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| Second Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT1201 | Procedural Programming | 6.00 |
| 2 | IT1202 | IT Essentials | 6.00 |
| 3 | IT1203 | Computer Organization | 5.00 |
| 4 | IT1204 | Calculus | 3.00 |
| 5 | IT1205 | Computer Skills | 5.00 |
| 6 | IT1206 | Academic English | 5.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| First Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT2301 | Object Oriented Programming (Using Java) | 6.00 |
| 2 | IT2302 | Computer Architecture | 4.00 |
| 3 | IT2303 | Data Structure & Algorithms | 5.00 |
| 4 | IT2304 | Web Programming Fundamentals (Using XHTML, CSS, Bootstrap) | 5.00 |
| 5 | IT2305 | English Communication | 5.00 |
| 6 | IT2306 | Database Fundamentals | 5.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| Second Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT2401 | Microprocessor | 5.00 |
| 2 | IT2402 | Advanced Data Structure & Algorithms | 6.00 |
| 3 | IT2403 | Numerical Analysis | 4.00 |
| 4 | IT2404 | Web Scripting Language (JavaScript, jQuery ajax, json) | 5.00 |
| 5 | IT2405 | Professional Writing | 5.00 |
| 6 | IT2406 | Visual Programming (C#) | 5.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| First Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT3501 | Data Communication and Networking | 5.00 |
| 2 | IT3502 | Software Engineering & Analysis | 5.00 |
| 3 | IT3503 | Business Communication | 5.00 |
| 4 | IT3504 | Information Security | 5.00 |
| 5 | IT3505 | Advanced Databases | 5.00 |
| 6 | IT3506 | Elective | 5.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| Second Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT3601 | Cloud Computing | 5.00 |
| 2 | IT3602 | Modeling and Simulation | 5.00 |
| 3 | IT3603 | Digital Image Processing | 5.00 |
| 4 | IT3604 | Operating Systems | 5.00 |
| 5 | IT3605 | Research Methodology | 5.00 |
| 6 | IT3606 | Elective | 5.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| First Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT4701 | Mobile Programming | 5.00 |
| 2 | IT4702 | Network Management | 5.00 |
| 3 | IT4703 | Web based applications | 5.00 |
| 4 | IT4704 | Professional Ethics | 4.00 |
| 5 | IT4705 | CCNA | 6.00 |
| 6 | IT4706 | Elective | 5.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
| Second Term | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| No. | M Code | Module Title | ECTS |
| 1 | IT4801 | Management and Entrepreneurship for IT Industry | 5.00 |
| 2 | IT4802 | CCNP | 5.00 |
| 3 | IT4803 | Big Data | 5.00 |
| 4 | IT4804 | Elective | 5.00 |
| 5 | IT4806 | Final Year Project | 10.00 |
| Total: 30.00 | |||
Class Schedule
Access the official weekly timetable for the Information Technology Department at CUE. Please download the PDF below to view detailed information about courses, lecture halls, and session timings.