The University of Zakho participated in the 2025 TESOL Kurdistan First International Conference. This participation reflects the University’s active engagement in regional and international academic forums in English language education. The university was represented by Mr. Hozan G. Othman, Mr. Nechirvan H. Jawzal, and Ms. Hala S. Younis from the Department of English Language at the College of Humanities, as well as Mr. Sabah S. Haji from the Department of English Language at the College of Basic Education. In addition to his academic participation, Mr. Hozan G. Othman served as a member of the conference’s organizing committee and as a moderator who contributed to the planning and coordination of the event.

The conference was held in Erbil from December 10 - 12, 2025, at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) Auditorium, under the theme “Empowering Educators, Transforming Learning: Rethinking English Teaching in a Changing World.” It highlighted the evolving challenges and innovations in English language education amid rapid technological developments, multilingual educational contexts, and global academic transformations.

Bringing together educators, researchers, material developers, and policymakers, the conference provided a comprehensive platform for dialogue, collaboration, and professional development. The program included keynote speeches, interactive workshops, and expert-led discussions addressing contemporary issues such as artificial intelligence in education, curriculum design, inclusive teaching practices, and language policy.

The conference featured several thematic tracks, including critical pedagogy and TESOL in marginalized communities, innovative language teaching and learning through digital tools and interactive methodologies, literature, language and identity, English for professional and academic purposes, teacher training and sustainable professional development, linguistic rights and multilingual education, and the future of TESOL with an emphasis on AI, gamification, and digital classrooms.

Through its participation and organizational contribution, the University of Zakho reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence, international collaboration, and the advancement of English language teaching and research at both regional and global levels.