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AUIB's second commencement graduates its first MBA class
Iraq's president attends as Judge Faiq Zidan receives an honorary doctorate and tells graduates never to compromise their values.
Waraq News Desk · Saturday, May 23
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BAGHDAD — The American University of Iraq – Baghdad held its second commencement on May 23, 2026, graduating its second undergraduate class and its first class of Master of Business Administration students. The university's annual report puts the number of graduates at about 150.
Among those attending, according to the university, were the President of the Republic, Nizar Amidi; Judge Dr. Faiq Zidan, President of the Supreme Judicial Council; former Prime Ministers Mohammad Al-Sudani and Mustafa Al-Kadhimi; and ministers, diplomats and business leaders.
Judge Zidan received an honorary doctorate and gave the keynote address, urging graduates "never to compromise your values, no matter how great the temptations may be." President Amidi wished the class "a successful professional life" and said that "progress in knowledge and construction is always the companion of peace and stability."
"Tonight, we celebrate not only achievement, but hope," said AUIB's president, Dr. Bradley Cook. "Iraq does not simply need graduates. Iraq needs builders."
Dr. Saadi Waheeb Saihood, the university's Founding Father and Vice Chairman of its Board of Trustees, presented the Founder's Medal, which bears his name and goes to the graduate with the highest academic standing in each college. Dr. Esther Mulnix was recognized as the university's first Professor Emerita. Eng. Hussein Saadi Saihood, a member of the Board of Trustees, described the graduates as proof of what disciplined work and purposeful initiative can achieve.
Waraq's News Desk compiled this report in October 2026 from the sources below, with the help of an AI writing tool.
Sources
First published in Waraq. The author keeps the copyright.