Baghdad-INA
The President of the American University of Iraq- AUIB, Bradley J. Cook, confirmed that Ard al-Rafidayn land(The Mesopotamia ) is the earliest history that humanity first learned to write laws and build societies, expressing deep appreciation for living and working in Iraq, and honoring the profound respect this civilization has long placed on knowledge, scholarship, and human dignity.
Cook said, in a speech tonight during celebration of graduating the first class of the university students: "Tonight, we celebrate not only achievement, but hope. Because every graduation is an act of faith—faith in young people, faith in education, and faith in Iraq's future."
And he added that "this faith carries deep meaning here in Iraq, where this land, Ard al-Rafidayn, gave humanity some of its earliest lessons in civilization," explaining that "here, humanity first learned to write laws, study the stars, and build centers of learning that shaped the world. Centuries later, Baghdad became home to Bayt al-Hikma, where scholars pursued knowledge for the advancement of humanity."
Cook addressed the graduates by saying: "today you receive more than a diploma. It is a trust. Inaha amana. A trust from your families, who sacrificed for you. A trust from your professors, who believed in you. And a trust from your country, which now looks to you to help shape its future. Because Iraq does not simply need graduates; it needs leaders, builders of institutions, builders of opportunity, builders of trust, and builders of hope."
And he continued by saying: "You are graduating at a time when Iraq is writing a new chapter. One day, that chapter will be judged not by what your generation inherited, but by what your generation built." he added: "You studied on grounds—these grounds—that once were associated with fear and dictatorship. Yet today, these same grounds are filled with learning, research, innovation, and ambition." Pointing out that "That transformation is symbolic of Iraq itself. It reminds us that nations are not prisoners of their past; they can choose renewal. And you are a part of that renewal."
And he confirmed that "living and working in Iraq has given me a deep appreciation for the profound respect this civilization has long placed on knowledge, on scholarship, and on human dignity."
Cook asked the students to carry three things with them: al-Tawadu'—humility, resilience—al-Sabr wal-Thabat, and integrity—al-Nazaha, explaining that "Because long after people forget your GPA, they will remember your character."
