Fady Hameed, a third-year student in the Information Technology department at the Catholic University in Erbil, is not only one of the top students in his class—he’s also a determined young man who is reshaping his future against the odds.
Originally holding a Bachelor’s degree in Geology from Salahaddin University, Fady found it difficult to secure meaningful employment due to limited job opportunities and a mismatch between his degree and the market’s needs. Recognizing the rising demand for digital skills and the impact of artificial intelligence on the future of work, he made the bold decision to pursue a second degree in IT.
But Fady’s journey is marked by more than academic reinvention. Since childhood, he has lived with a speech disorder—stuttering—that made social interactions difficult and often left him feeling isolated. “People would interrupt me before I could finish speaking,” he shared. “It made me anxious and hesitant to talk to strangers.”
With the support of his family and close friends, however, Fady slowly began to overcome his fear. A pivotal part of his growth came through his faith. Growing up in Shaqlawa, Fady and his twin brother became deacons at the local church at just 14 years old. Participating in church rituals and building a deeper connection to his spirituality helped him step out of his comfort zone and begin engaging more confidently with others.
When he enrolled at CUE, Fady made the proactive choice to attend speech therapy sessions in Erbil for four months. The experience, he says, brought measurable improvement to his speech and a boost in self-confidence.
Fady continues to advocate for others with speech disorders and disabilities. “People should be cooperative and patient when they talk to someone with a speech disorder,” he says. His broader message is one of perseverance:
“I believe it’s not easy to achieve the things we want most in life—especially for those of us facing criticism or judgment. But I’ve seen people with disabilities accomplish things many others never could.”