KAAE Grants Eligibility Status to CUE as the First University in Erbil and One of Only Two Universities in Kurdistan

The Kurdistan Accrediting Association for Education (KAAE) announced that, on July 7, 2026, the Catholic University in Erbil (CUE) and the American University of Kurdistan (AUK) became the first higher education institutions to receive Eligibility Status.

The KAAE Board of Trustees made this decision after reviewing each institution’s Foundational Criteria for Eligibility Report, supporting documents, the Evaluation Team Report following the site visit, and the recommendations of the Commission on Higher Education.

KAAE is a national accreditation body established by the Kurdistan Regional Government in June 2022. Its aim is to enhance the quality of education in Kurdistan through accreditation, transparency, accountability, and academic excellence.

This achievement marks a significant milestone in the University’s pursuit of academic excellence and institutional quality. It reflects the dedication, collaboration, and hard work of the entire CUE community, whose commitment and perseverance made this accomplishment possible.

Dr. Boushra Rahal, President of KAAE, noted, “This is a significant milestone for higher education in the Kurdistan Region. The achievement of CUE and AUK reflects the institutions’ commitment to engaging in a rigorous, evidence-based process of continuous improvement and institutional effectiveness.”

Dr. Rahal added, “We congratulate the governing boards, leadership, faculty, staff, and students of both institutions on reaching this milestone and look forward to working with them as they continue their accreditation journey. We also express our appreciation to our peer evaluators, Commissioners, and members of the Board of Trustees, whose expertise, integrity, and dedication uphold the quality, credibility, and independence of KAAE’s accreditation process.”

For CUE, this achievement is more than just a milestone. It is the result of the hard work and teamwork of its faculty, staff, students, and leadership. It shows that the university is moving in the right direction and is committed to providing a high-quality education for its students. Moreover, this is only the first phase of KAAE’s accreditation pathway, and CUE will continue its work toward the second phase with greater commitment.

CUE extends its sincere gratitude to all members who contributed their time, expertise, and dedication throughout the eligibility process.