ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The American Corner Erbil Hub located in the library of the University of Kurdistan Hewler (UKH) celebrated its one-year anniversary with special guest speakers and the launch of an art exhibition by a renowned Kurdish artist.
The celebration was officiated by UKH Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohammed Mochtar, alongside the US Consul General in Erbil Ken Gross on Tuesday.
A three-day art exhibition was also launched at the American Corner Erbil (ACE), showcasing art from renowned Kurdish artist Ismail Khayat of Sulaimani.
ACE, a soft diplomacy branch of the US Department of State, first opened its doors in Erbil on February 27, 2017, to give people in the Kurdistan Region an opportunity to access vital resources and information about the US and offer English language services.
“Our library, although it’s normally the university’s library, is open to the public, and anyone who lives or works in the Kurdistan Region is entitled to use our services as a reference,” Lesley Gaj, director of the UKH Library and ACE, told Rudaw.
“Having the American Corner means that we can have people from all over Kurdistan come to events there,” she added.
In its first year, ACE hosted almost 100 programs highlighting American culture, history, government and current events, attracting more than 2,000 attendees and more than 3,500 visitors who used their facilities and resources.
Gaj said there are books, DVDs, videos and song sheets provided by ACE as well as the university library materials, which are all available to the public. There are also study areas and ACE online resources available such as eLibraryUSA.
Sixty-two percent of people who use the American Corner come from outside the university, she added.
In addition to the UKH community, visitors also include students from surrounding universities and colleges as well as working adults who use their resources, attend cultural events and English learning programs, as well as students interested in exchange programs such as the Fulbright scholarship in America.
“It also means people from the consulates and embassies can come out and hold talks and seminars and programs somewhere where people are able to come and access easily,” Gaj said.
ACE also hosts special events such as workshops and holiday celebrations.
“It’s very well used and we’re happy with that,” she added.
American Corners are special partnerships between local institutions and the US government that serve as regional resource centers.
Since 2000, the US has launched 245 American Corner locations in almost 60 countries worldwide.
The celebration was officiated by UKH Vice Chancellor Dr. Mohammed Mochtar, alongside the US Consul General in Erbil Ken Gross on Tuesday.
A three-day art exhibition was also launched at the American Corner Erbil (ACE), showcasing art from renowned Kurdish artist Ismail Khayat of Sulaimani.
ACE, a soft diplomacy branch of the US Department of State, first opened its doors in Erbil on February 27, 2017, to give people in the Kurdistan Region an opportunity to access vital resources and information about the US and offer English language services.
“Our library, although it’s normally the university’s library, is open to the public, and anyone who lives or works in the Kurdistan Region is entitled to use our services as a reference,” Lesley Gaj, director of the UKH Library and ACE, told Rudaw.
“Having the American Corner means that we can have people from all over Kurdistan come to events there,” she added.
In its first year, ACE hosted almost 100 programs highlighting American culture, history, government and current events, attracting more than 2,000 attendees and more than 3,500 visitors who used their facilities and resources.
Gaj said there are books, DVDs, videos and song sheets provided by ACE as well as the university library materials, which are all available to the public. There are also study areas and ACE online resources available such as eLibraryUSA.
Sixty-two percent of people who use the American Corner come from outside the university, she added.
In addition to the UKH community, visitors also include students from surrounding universities and colleges as well as working adults who use their resources, attend cultural events and English learning programs, as well as students interested in exchange programs such as the Fulbright scholarship in America.
“It also means people from the consulates and embassies can come out and hold talks and seminars and programs somewhere where people are able to come and access easily,” Gaj said.
ACE also hosts special events such as workshops and holiday celebrations.
“It’s very well used and we’re happy with that,” she added.
American Corners are special partnerships between local institutions and the US government that serve as regional resource centers.
Since 2000, the US has launched 245 American Corner locations in almost 60 countries worldwide.
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