UOD– August 22, 2025 | University Press Office (UNPO) – In response to President Masoud Barzani’s call to strengthen mental health services in the Kurdistan Region, the University of Duhok (UOD) inaugurated the region’s first Psychotherapy Clinic for Addiction, alongside the renovated building of its Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology (IPP) On August 21.

This milestone marks a significant step in UOD’s mission to serve society through world-class education, research, and community engagement, while also positioning the university as a regional hub for mental health innovation and leadership.

A First-of-its-Kind Clinic in Kurdistan and Iraq

The clinic, affiliated with UOD’s IPP, was established in partnership with the Institute for Transcultural Health Sciences (DHBW, Germany) and supported by the German organization SEZ.

In a press briefing, Dr. Bohar Suleiman Isa, Vice Dean of IPP, outlined the clinic’s goals and operations. She emphasized that its services are completely free of charge and guided by international standards of confidentiality, dignity, and respect.

The clinic is staffed by a multidisciplinary team that includes:

• Psychiatrists for diagnosis and supervision.
  
  
• Psychotherapists with Master’s degrees, trained through UOD’s international programs.
  
  
• Social workers and researchers to support families, raise awareness, and facilitate social reintegration.
  
  

Voices from the Ceremony

The inauguration was attended by a wide range of dignitaries and officials, including:

• Albrecht von Wittke, German Consul General in Erbil.
  
  
• Dr. Ali Tatar, Governor of Duhok.
  
  
• Dr. Dawood Sulaiman Atrushi, President of UOD.
  
  
• Dr. Nawzad Abdullah, Head of the First Branch of the Kurdistan Democratic Party.
  
  
• Members of the UOD Council and officials and other local officials.
  
  

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr. Atrushi expressed deep appreciation to the German government and academic partners, stressing:

“This clinic is not only a vital step in addressing addiction as a public health crisis but also a center for education and training future mental health professionals. It demonstrates UOD’s commitment to addressing pressing societal challenges through scientific and modern approaches.”

Governor Ali Tatar underlined the importance of the project in protecting the mental and social health of the community, while the German Consul General praised the partnership and reaffirmed Germany’s ongoing support in health and humanitarian sectors, noting that this is the first clinic of its kind in Iraq.

“Addiction is a disease, not a stigma,” noted Dr. Jan Ilhan Kizilhan, Dean of IPP in Germany. “Our goal is to provide treatment in a safe and confidential environment, helping individuals reintegrate into society in a healthy and productive way.”

A New Home for IPP

The addiction clinic is located on the upper floor of the newly renovated 500 m² IPP building (formerly the College of Fine Arts). The ground floor now houses postgraduate classrooms, training halls, and faculty offices, creating a unique synergy between academic education and clinical practice.

Expanding International Cooperation in Mental Health

Through IPP, UOD continues to expand its global partnerships in psychotherapy education and research. The institute runs a Dual Master’s Degree in Psychotherapy, in collaboration with:

• Baden-Württemberg Cooperative State University (DHBW, Germany)
  
  
• University of Tübingen
  
  
• TCultHS Project (Germany)
  
  

For the academic year 2025–2026, IPP will admit 30 new postgraduate students, with examinations and interviews jointly organized by German academics and the Kurdistan Ministry of Higher Education.

Serving Society and Shaping the Future

By launching the Psychotherapy Clinic for Addiction and inaugurating the new IPP building, the University of Duhok advances its strategic vision to:

• Provide accessible, free, and high-quality healthcare services to society.
  
  
• Build postgraduate education and clinical research capacity in mental health.
  
  
• Enhance international cooperation in higher education and research.
  
  
• Address urgent societal challenges, including addiction, with innovative and scientific solutions.
  
  

This initiative reflects UOD’s commitment to its strategic pillars of transparency, engagement, and excellence, while reinforcing its leadership role in Kurdistan, Iraq, and beyond.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE MEDIA COVERAGE FOR THIS EVENT

University of Duhok Press Office – August 22, 2025
Reported by: Ismat Mahmoud Mohammed & Fatima Mahmood Ali
Photography by: Mohammed A. Tahar & Ali Habib Habib

The News Keywords:

• University of Duhok Psychotherapy Clinic
  
  
• Addiction Treatment in Kurdistan
  
  
• Mental Health Services Iraq
  
  
• International Cooperation in Higher Education UOD
  
  
• Psychotherapy and Psychotraumatology Research