Under the patronage and attendance of the president of the Middle Technical University Euphrates—Professor Dr. Hassan Latif Al-Zubaidi—and with direct supervision from the dean of the Technical Institute/Kufa, Professor Dr. Atheer Kadhim Abaadi.
“Together, let’s create a hopeful smile.”
The Department of Autism Spectrum Technology, in cooperation with the Friends of People with Disabilities (Voluntary Team), organized a large festival and a dialogue seminar titled “Their World is Different… and Their Creativity Knows No Limits: A Dialogue in the Space of Autism,” coinciding with World Autism Awareness Day.
In a speech opening the festival activities, the university president emphasized the importance of making a qualitative shift in community awareness regarding autism spectrum disorders. He stressed the need to move beyond the traditional perspective that places those affected in a category of “helplessness” and toward a deeper understanding of this disorder as a difference in cognitive and perceptual functions that requires empowerment, not restriction.
On the level of scientific research, he announced the university’s direction to strengthen specialized studies in this field, revealing the intention to establish a specialized health center dedicated to the autism spectrum. This center will be created through self-funded efforts and academic expertise from within the university so it can serve this segment of society.
The event also included a national dimension. The university president took the opportunity to strongly condemn the ongoing . . . attacks targeting the region and civilian sites, describing them as a blatant violation of international laws. He also strongly condemned the targeting of Iraqi security forces of all kinds, affirming the academic institution’s unity with the country’s sovereign issues.
The festival saw broad participation, including official figures; security and religious authorities; and specialized institutions, among them Ms. Noor Al-Khaza’li (a member of the Najaf Ashraf Provincial Council) and Mr. Iyad Al-FatlawI (Legal Affairs Assistant to the Governor).
It also included a delegation from the Holy Najaf Shrine, along with Captain Humaid Salih Shumran (Officer in charge of the Community Police Center / Naser District).
In addition, the event included the participation of the Hope Institute for Deaf and Mute People, represented by its Director Ms. Maha Al-Kurdy, and the Al-Ruwan Foundation for the Rights of Deaf Persons, headed by Mr. Hossam Muthanna Al-Moussawi. There was also participation from several staff members of the Najaf Ashraf Health Directorate, as well as several deans and a large group of institute faculty members and students.
The program included a dialogue session moderated by ِattorney Yasmine Ali Al-Sharq, with the participation of a distinguished group of specialists, including Dr. Muhammad Mahdi Sakar (consultant psychiatrist and neurologist) and Dr. Mudar Sabah Abdel-Tadrees from the Department of Autism Spectrum Technology.
The session witnessed strong interaction from the audience. The audience was invited to ask questions and make interventions directed at Dr. Muhammad, primarily focusing on early diagnosis mechanisms, managing behavioral changes in children, and integrating medication treatment with psychological rehabilitation. Dr. Muhammad responded in detail, providing practical guidance to families and attendees, which helped dispel many misconceptions about this disorder.
The celebration also included inspiring success stories from the Happiness Center, along with the story of treating the hero “Abbas,” as well as artistic performances by students of the Hope Institute for Deaf and Mute People. It concluded with the Institute Deanate honoring the supporting parties and figures for the festival, by order and support of the Assistant Dean for Scientific Affairs, Dr. Iyad Muslim Hamza, in appreciation of their humanitarian efforts.
Meanwhile, the institute dean, Professor Dr. Atheer Kadhim Abadi, praised the leading role of the Autism Spectrum Technology Department within the institute. He commended the exceptional efforts made by the department, represented by its head, Dr. Noor Ismail Nasser, and her academic team. He emphasized that this festival reflects the department’s commitment to blending academic and scientific aspects with community responsibility.
