University History
Locally known as the “Mother University”, Salahaddin University – Erbil (SUE) stands as the oldest and most comprehensive public institution of higher education in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Moreover, this esteemed title reflects the University's key role in shaping the region by producing a vast number of graduates, proficient scholars, and dedicated academic professionals.
The institution, which is now Salahaddin University-Erbil, was first founded in 1968 in Sulaimani and later relocated to Erbil, the capital of the autonomous Kurdistan Region, in 1981, at which point it adopted its current name.
Now, located near the ancient citadel of Erbil—a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, estimated to be 7,000 years old —SUE proudly serves as the educational home to more than 25,200 undergraduates and 676 graduate students. Besides, it offers a wide range of academic pursuits, encompassing more than 85 undergraduate majors and award degrees at the certificate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral levels.
The programs include Engineering, Science, Law & Politics, Agriculture, Business & Administration, Physical Education, Arts and Sociology, Fine Arts, Languages, Religion, and Teaching Methods.
Signifying its commitment to contemporary educational standards, in the academic year of 2019-2020, SUE started to apply the Bologna process to the academic programs of first-year students. The academic year at SUE starts in September and ends in July. In addition, the credit system at Salahaddin University-Erbil is a unit-based system.
Salahaddin University-Erbil has a substantial body of over 2074 academic staff, in addition to 3500 administrative and professional employees. The instructional, research, and service missions of the University reflect the needs of the respective geographic areas.
Beyond its regional impact, SUE extends its scope statewide, nationally, and internationally by actively engaging in consultancy and educational research activities throughout the country, facilitated by research and a network of global partnerships and training exchange programs. In this way, Salahaddin University-Erbil has enriched the cultural, political, and industrial sectors of Kurdistan for four decades, playing a major role in the advancement of Kurdistani society. SUE usually ranks among the top universities in the national rankings.
For over four decades, Salahaddin University-Erbil has been a vital motivation for progress in Kurdistan's cultural, political, and industrial landscapes, playing a significant role in the advancement of Kurdistani society with its diverse ethnic, cultural, and religious components. SUE consistently achieves high rankings among national universities.
For more than 45 years, SUE has attracted a global community of talented scholars, writers, artists, and other distinguished individuals who have selected SUE as a platform for teaching, creating, studying, and pursuing their academic journeys.
SUE has achieved recognition in the Middle East in a wide range of areas –in Engineering, Sciences, Liberal and Fine Arts, Agriculture, Business, Law, Education, Social Work, and Public Service. Our talented faculty and staff are committed to excellence in teaching, research and academic support.