Koya University Hosts Workshop on Sports and Mental Health to Support Community Outreach Pillar 

The Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences at Koya University, in support of the third pillar of the strategic plan, namely the main pillar of "Community Outreach," organized a workshop titled "Sports and Physical and Mental Health: An Effective Partnership for a Healthy Society."

On Tuesday, April 21, 2026, in the presence of the V.P for Administrative and Financial Affairs, Assistant Professor Dr. Yadgar Abdullah Ali; V.P for Scientific Affairs and Higher Education, Professor Dr. Hishyar Zaki; the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Assistant Professor Dr. Nabaz Abdullah; and faculty members and students of Koya University, the workshop "Sports and Physical and Mental Health: An Effective Partnership for a Healthy Society" was held in the presidency hall of Koya University.

The workshop began with the national anthem "Ey Reqîb" and a moment of silence in honor of the martyrs of Kurdistan. Subsequently, the Dean of the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences delivered a speech and explained the content and objectives of the workshop.

Third Pillar and Community Outreach

The third pillar of Koya University's strategic plan, titled the main pillar of "Community Outreach," is a distinctive pillar of the strategic plan so that through it, Koya University, as a higher institution and an active center of education and training, can have a greater impact on society and respond to their needs and demands. Based on this perspective, to encourage the establishment of a healthy and fit society, the workshop "Sports and Physical and Mental Health: An Effective Partnership for a Healthy Society" was organized.

Healthy Body and Mind, Healthy Society

The workshop "Sports and Physical and Mental Health: An Effective Partnership for a Healthy Society" encompassed discussions and dialogues on issues related to physical and mental health in two panels, of course under the guidance and leadership of Koya University's strategic plan. The first panel was moderated by Assistant Professor Dr. Twana Shakir Issa, and the topics "Sports and Strengthening Self-Confidence and Self-Respect" by Assistant Professor Dr. Farhad Ibrahim Karim and "The Relationship Between the Two Pillars of Body and Brain" by Assistant Professor Dr. Saber Mohammed Khalid were presented.

The second panel was moderated by Dr. Lawast Qasim Zahir, and the topics "The Role of Educational and Social Institutions in Spreading Sports Culture" by Professor Dr. Nihad Ayoub Qadir and "Self-Defense Sports: A Long-Term Physical Investment" by Dr. Awara Saber Hamad were presented. At the same time, attendees in the question and answer section presented their observations and questions about the topics, which enriched the discussion topics.

Third Objective of the Third Pillar of the Strategic Plan

The third pillar of Koya University's strategic plan, namely the "Community Outreach" pillar, consists of three objectives and ten strategies. The third objective of this pillar, titled "Addressing Social Issues Facing Local Communities to Improve Their Quality of Life," through the first strategy, namely "Mobilizing Koya University's Research for Community Projects," works to find solutions and present proposals for social issues in society through research, seminars, workshops, and conferences in cooperation with the main relevant stakeholders of the local community.