Delegation from the National Herbarium of Iraq (BAG) Visits the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Duhok

On July 27, 2026, an official scientific delegation from the National Herbarium of Iraq (BAG) comprising Dr. Rosul Saad Hussein, Dr. Ali Halob, Ms. Rasul Ahmed Mahmoud, Mr. Hatem Mohammed Fayyad, and Mr. Latif Hamza Ibrahim visited the College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences at the University of Duhok.

The delegation was welcomed by the Dean of the College, Dr. Shukri Haji Salih. The meeting highlighted the pivotal role of the National Herbarium in supporting academic researchers across Iraq, as well as the College’s active contribution to identifying and conserving the diverse natural flora of the Kurdistan Region.

Following the meeting, the delegation conducted a comprehensive tour across key academic units:

• Department of Forestry: The guests met with faculty members and reviewed academic specializations, including Botany, Plant Taxonomy, Wildlife and Rangeland Management, with a particular focus on native flora.
• College Herbarium (DPUH): The delegation inspected current preservation work at the Duhok Province University Herbarium (DPUH), offered professional recommendations for future development, and discussed actionable avenues for expanding institutional collaboration.
• University Botanical Garden: Hosted by Dr. Hassan Najman, Mr. Honer Safar, and Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Hassan, the delegation explored the garden's role in conserving local botanical heritage and serving the university and regional community. Impressed by the facility's propagation units and display collections, the delegation advocated for adopting Duhok’s botanical garden model across other Iraqi universities.

Field Expedition to Gara Mountain:
On the following day, accompanied by Department of Forestry faculty members Dr. Jotyar Jasim Mohammed and Mr. Ibrahim Ziyad Yousif, the delegation carried out a joint field expedition to several locations across the Gara Mountains. A collection of indigenous wild plant specimens was gathered to be sustainably preserved at the National Herbarium of Iraq (BAG).

CAES Information Services Office, October 10, 2026

Reported by: Sipal Mohammed Taher Yousif & Bilnd Jalal H. Hambi