The Department of Scholarships and Cultural Relations, in collaboration with the Continuous Education Center, organized an online introductory lecture on Erasmus+ programs, presented by the hrad of Erasmus+ Unit , assist. Lect. Taherah Makki Abdulkareem.

The lecture highlighted the key opportunities provided by Erasmus+ programs in the fields of academic exchange, institutional capacity building, and the implementation of joint international projects. It also explained the application mechanisms and how to benefit from the grants and programs available within the framework of the program, emphasizing the importance of enhancing academic partnerships and opening up to global universities and educational institutions, contributing to the development of the educational and research environment.

This lecture is part of the university’s efforts to promote the culture of international programs and introduce opportunities for academic and research development, thereby enhancing its scientific presence and supporting avenues for cultural and academic cooperation at the international level.

The University Psychological Counseling Division, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Center at the University of Information Technology and Communications, held an online scientific seminar entitled “Genetic Engineering and the Future of Medicine,” presented by Mr. Fadhil Shaker Hammoud, a faculty member in the division.

The seminar addressed recent developments in the field of genetic engineering and gene editing, and their role in bringing about a qualitative transformation in modern medicine and healthcare. It reviewed the concept of DNA as the genetic code responsible for transmitting the genetic information that determines human traits and vital functions, explaining the impact of genetic mutations on the emergence of many genetic diseases.

The seminar also highlighted the historical development of genetic engineering, culminating in CRISPR-Cas9 technology, which is considered one of the most prominent scientific achievements of the 21st century due to its advanced capabilities for highly precise gene editing. The seminar addressed the most important medical applications of these technologies, including the treatment of inherited blood disorders such as sickle cell anemia, the development of targeted immunotherapies for cancer, and the treatment of some cases of inherited blindness. It also discussed the move towards personalized medicine, which relies on genetic analysis to design treatments tailored to each patient’s genetic characteristics.

The seminar explored the future prospects of genetic engineering, including the potential for early diagnosis of genetic diseases and the transplantation of genetically modified organs. It also addressed the ethical and legal challenges associated with modifying human embryos and the creation of genetically engineered babies, emphasizing the importance of establishing regulations to ensure the safe and responsible use of these technologies.