Over a 9-week period, 232 college students from the U.S., Jordan, and Iraq worked on binational teams to investigate the impact of the UN's 17 Sustainable Development Goals in their local communities. Binational teams collaborated virtually throughout the design thinking process within their teams to create innovative business solutions.

The IREX Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge is an international competition that invites students from around the world to develop and implement sustainability solutions in their communities. The competition is open to undergraduate students from all disciplines, and teams can be made up of students from different universities within Iraq, Jordan, and the United States.

Global Solutions is supported by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute. It is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates.

The University of Zakho’s team facilitated by Mr. Ahmed Alyousify, Lecturer and the Career Development Center Coordinator was one of the many teams that participated in the IREX Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge. The team consisted of 8 students from different departments and faculties: Faculty of Science, College of Engineering, College of Education, and Faculty of Humanities.

Water is an essential resource that is critical to sustaining life on our planet. However, many communities worldwide face challenges related to water quality and sanitation. The University of Zakho team, comprising students from Iraq and the United States, recognized the importance of addressing water contamination in their communities and proposed an innovative solution to tackle this issue.

The University of Zakho team's innovative solution to reduce water contamination in their Iraq and U.S. communities is not only impressive but also aligns with the United Nations' goal number 6 of clean water and sanitation. The proposed solution is a step in the right direction, towards achieving this goal.

Although the competition was tough, the University of Zakho team was able to win fourth place in the IREX Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge. The team was recognized for their innovative approach and their ability to create a solution that was both sustainable and financially viable. Their success serves as a reminder of the important role that students can play in promoting sustainability and creating a better future for all.

In closing, we extend our gratitude to all the students who participated in the IREX Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge, specifically the University of Zakho team, whose names are mentioned below, for their unwavering commitment to developing sustainable solutions to environmental problems.

We would also like to thank the organizers and facilitators of the competition for their tireless efforts in bringing together such a fantastic event and competition.

University of Zakho Facilitator: Mr. Ahmed Alyousify

Participating Students:

• Dereen Khursheed Haji
• Arkan Jundi Iliyas
• Iman Salih Shafiq
• Lazya Soran Muhamad
• Azad Nawzad Bahjat
• Rawan Muhammad Saeed
• Souad Agid Yousif
• Esra Mahmood Gree