WELCOME MESSAGE
Dr. Mohammed Ibrahim Khalaf
Al-Maarif University College (AUC) is a leading, internationally recognized higher education institution whose core business is generating and spreading knowledge. As a higher education institution, we are committed to making a positive impact through responsible sustainability performance. We transform our university to be both prosperous and sustainable and produce new generations of graduates and staff ambassadors of positive social and environmental change. AUC’s Sustainability Policy supports the delivery of our Strategic Plan (2020-2024) and applies to all activities and services carried out by Al-Maarif University College across our campus. We incorporate sustainability principles into our operations wherever applicable and possible. Furthermore, AUC collaborates with its partners and other institutions to adopt a policy under the commitments laid out within this sustainability policy.
DEPARTMENT BRIEF
Sustainable development has emerged as a prominent paradigm in global development endeavors. This innovation presents a potential avenue for establishing an environmentally sustainable built environment through an integrated design approach, thereby mitigating adverse effects on the environment and human well-being. Sustainability encompasses dimensions beyond environmental performance, encompassing social and economic considerations, necessitating a long-term perspective and accepting accountability for future outcomes. Sustainable development is widely recognized as a paramount avenue for progress. In light of this, the World Summit on Sustainable Development Plan of Implementation advises governments to implement sustainable development measures urgently. There has been a notable surge in concern over sustainable development within the context of IRAQ in recent times. Hence, the focus on sustainability has emerged as a paramount domain for both practical implementation and scholarly investigation in IRAQ. Therefore, it is essential for each institution to establish a specialized entity that focuses on addressing the complexities and challenges associated with sustainable development. Al-Maarif University College (AUC) established the Sustainability Development Office to be a transdisciplinary hub that develops strategies, provides consultations, and offers public awareness about sustainability. In addition, it supports basic and applied research and manages and supervises projects in the area of sustainable and green built environment for the AUC community and local society.
VISSION, MISSION, OBJECTIVES AND CORE VALUES
OUR VISION
A leading transdisciplinary applied-focused hub in sustainable development, delivering powerful societal impact in IRAQ.
OUR MISSION
To create a pivotal hub in sustainable capacity and infrastructure, fostering collaboration among industry, business, government, society, research entities, and steering construction towards smart, sustainable, and resilience (challenge-ready) futures.
OUR GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The AUC Sustainability Development Office aims to be a transdisciplinary hub for developing strategies, providing consultations, offering awareness, supporting basic and applied research, and managing projects in sustainable and green built environments for the AUC community and local society. The following objectives are derived from the stated motivation:
- Participate in community awareness towards sustainability.
- Provide a range of training opportunities to uplift skills.
- Provide consultancy in the area of sustainability and green built environment.
- Contribute to social mobility by conducting seminars to share knowledge and allow networking between industry, government and research organizations.
- Increase AUC capacity for research and to build an ambitious, supportive and inclusive environment in which researchers can excel.
- Collaborate with national and international communities.
OUR CORE VALUES
- Integrity: Honesty and mutual trust between the University and all concerned parties.
- Transparency: Openness, clarity and objectivity in all aspects of work.
- Belonging & citizenship: Deepening belonging to the homeland among members of the academic & administrative staffs and students.
- Diversity: Accepting students, appointing members of the academic & administrative staffs and dealing with all parties without discrimination on any basis.
- Social Responsibility: Interacting with the community by providing distinguished services.
- Cooperation: Encouraging effective teamwork in the university environment.
- Justice: Achieving justice in dealing with the affairs of the academic & administrative staffs and students.
- Accountability: Accepting and taking responsibility for actions, decisions and policies related to the administration of the University and governance and applying them within the powers assigned to each of the employees in the University, each according to his/her position.
Office Section
ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE CIRCULARITY (ERC)
- The focus of this division is to investigate how we may create a more sustainable and circular built environment in Al-Maarif University College (AUC). It seeks to understand how using resources sensibly and creating buildings that can be reused, repurposed, or recycled can make construction more environmentally friendly. It attempts to discover creative, circular construction methods that generate sustainable and beneficial environments for communities now and in the future.
- The division covers theme renewable/clean energy, waste management, water efficiency, net-zero solutions, building regulations, material characteristics, building physics and systems, indoor environment quality, and other related topics.
HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELLBEING (HSW)
- The focus of this theme is to explore how environment conditions and habitation can be intertwined to prioritize and enhance the well-being and safety of people. We aim to investigate practices that safeguard occupants, ensuring they operate in safe and supportive environments. Simultaneously, we explore how the design and layout of spaces can be optimized to bolster the social and health aspects of community living.
- The division theme covers cultural and social sciences, human health and psychology, community science, urban health, women’s empowerment, built environment and well-being, health, safety, environment, diversity, and innovation, and other related topics.
DISRUPTIVE DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES AND TRANSFORMATION (DTT)
- The focus of this theme is to delve into the transformative potential of building information modeling, digital engineering, and newer technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, artificial intelligence (AI), and blockchain in Al-Maarif University College ( AUC). The goal is to comprehend how incorporating these digital tools can improve quality, designs, expedite project management, and increase operating efficiency.
- The division theme covers industrial innovation, immersive design and technology, BIM (Building Information Modeling), innovative materials, smart systems, and other related topics.
DESIGN AND VISUAL COMMUNICATION (DVC)
- The focus of this theme is to explore how the most recent design trends, such as interactive design, innovative visual thinking, and sustainable dissemination, are being put into practice at Al-Maarif University College. The goal is to foster a culture of creative visual thinking in a practical context in the production and built environment.
- The division theme covers visual identity, advertising design, interactive design, cinematography, e-marketing and advertising design, and design philosophy, and other related topics.