Erbil, Kurdistan Region — The Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) participated in the “Teaching for the Global Common Good” virtual conference on October 8, 2025, marking the first collaborative activity between CUE and a group of Catholic universities in the United Kingdom.

Organized by Leeds Trinity University, in partnership with St Mary’s University Twickenham, Liverpool Hope University, and Birmingham Newman University, the one-day conference brought together educators, administrators, and scholars from across Catholic higher education to reflect on how Catholic principles and social thought can shape teaching, learning, and institutional mission in today’s world.

At CUE, faculty members and senior management joined the conference collectively from the Library Seminar Hall, engaging with the presentations and discussions in real time. The event marked a milestone in CUE’s growing network of international partnerships with Catholic institutions.

IMAGE: CUE faculty gathered in the Library Seminar Hall for the Teaching for the Global Common Good virtual conference

Exploring the Mission of Catholic Higher Education

The conference opened with a keynote address by Dr. Ann Marie Mealey of Leeds Trinity University, exploring “Mission, Peace, and the Common Good.” Dr. Mealey emphasized the concept of a “pedagogy of peace,” inspired by Fratelli Tutti and rooted in Catholic social teaching — calling on universities to influence education policy and pedagogy for the global common good.

Other speakers included:

• Professor Philip Booth of St Mary’s University, who discussed embedding service learning into degree programs as a way to connect academic objectives with real-world community impact.
  
• Professor Cate Carroll-Meehan from Liverpool Hope University, who presented on “Being, Belonging, and Vision,” a framework that encourages person-centered teaching across all levels of education.
  
• Drs. Louise Hickman and Sarah Parkes of Birmingham Newman University, who reflected on the challenges and opportunities of promoting a Catholic ethos within diverse academic communities.
  

A Shared Commitment to Faith, Learning, and Dialogue

CUE’s participation in this conference represents a significant step in strengthening its academic ties with international Catholic institutions and reaffirming its commitment to the integration of faith, reason, and service in higher education.

Dr. Nazar Shabila, President of CUE, highlighted the importance of the event in deepening both intellectual and institutional collaboration.

“Within our collaboration with the Catholic universities in the United Kingdom, we organized this virtual conference with four universities, with participation from our faculty and senior management staff,” Dr. Shabila said. “The discussions focused on applying Catholic principles and traditions within the curriculum, while continuing to welcome students of all backgrounds and faiths.”

He emphasized that the conference served as both a learning exchange and a foundation for continued partnership.

“This was the first joint activity between CUE and our UK partners, and we hope it will be followed by many other academic and scientific collaborations in the near future.”

Building Bridges Through Shared Values

Mr. Gerard Slattery, representing CUE’s academic staff, described the conference as a meaningful milestone in CUE’s growth as a Catholic institution.

“I really liked the conference because it connected us with many of the UK Catholic universities — St Mary’s Twickenham, Leeds Trinity, Liverpool Hope, and Birmingham Newman,” he said. “These are universities I’ve visited and admired for their development, and their willingness to work with us in Erbil is very generous.”

He added that the event also marked a moment of collective reflection within CUE’s own community.

“It was the first time we were able to engage with the totality of our staff on this kind of issue alongside comparable Catholic universities elsewhere. That is a sure sign of growth for us in the future.”

Looking Ahead

The “Teaching for the Global Common Good” conference represents the beginning of a sustained partnership between CUE and leading Catholic universities in the United Kingdom. Through these collaborations, CUE aims to enhance its academic and ethical foundations, integrating Catholic social thought and tradition into programs that remain inclusive, diverse, and responsive to the needs of Kurdistan and Iraq.By joining global dialogues on mission, peace, and community engagement, the Catholic University in Erbil continues to strengthen its identity as a university open to all — committed to knowledge, service, and the common good.