The University Psychological Counseling Division, in cooperation with the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, organized an online workshop entitled “Irregular Migration and Ways to Curb It: The Role of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs in Treatment and Prevention.” This initiative comes as part of the university’s awareness-raising efforts to address social phenomena and enhance students’ awareness.
The workshop, delivered by Consultant Ali Ghazi Al-Abdali from the Labor Resources and Labor Migration Center at the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs, addressed several key themes. It highlighted the major risks of irregular migration and its impact on Iraqi workers, particularly those related to leaving the country, selling personal assets, and engaging in illegal and high-risk migration routes.
The speaker also discussed the dangers migrants face during irregular migration journeys, including falling victim to smuggling networks and human trafficking, as well as the hazards of sea routes and forest crossings. In addition, he outlined the main characteristics and methods used by smugglers.
The workshop shed light on the efforts of the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs to reduce this phenomenon through awareness programs conducted before and after migration. It also presented a range of services, including free training courses (entrepreneurial, vocational, and educational), employment opportunities aligned with labor market needs, and soft loans ranging from one million to fifty million Iraqi dinars, offered without interest.
This workshop is part of a series of university activities aimed at promoting societal awareness and protecting young people from the risks associated with irregular migration by providing safe and supportive alternatives within the local labor marke

The University Psychological Counseling Division, in cooperation with the Continuing Education Center (CEC) at the University of Information Technology and Communications (UoITC), held an online workshop titled “The Arts and Their Effective Role in Building Awareness and Combating Extremism.” It was presented by Assistant Lecturers Salwa Salah Abdul Amir, Dina Mustafa Mohammed, and Sara Fadhil.

The workshop aimed to highlight the role of art as an influential tool in promoting societal awareness and addressing the phenomenon of extremism, by offering scientific and practical insights that contribute to reinforcing the values of peaceful coexistence and building peace.

The workshop addressed several key topics, most notably the concept of extremism, its causes, and its characteristics. It also explained the role of art in developing critical thinking, reshaping values, and opening up avenues for cultural dialogue. Additionally, it emphasized the importance of using the arts as an effective human-centered means to counter extremist ideology, given their psychological and cognitive impact in promoting a culture of diversity and openness.

The workshop concluded with a set of recommendations, including the use of the arts in intellectual rehabilitation programs, organizing art exhibitions that promote societal awareness, and supporting youth-focused artistic initiatives—all of which contribute to reducing manifestations of extremism and building a more tolerant society.