The Women’s Affairs Unit at the Technical University Organizes an Awareness Lecture on "Rural Women and Climate Change" Under the supervision of the Department Head, Prof. Dr. Raid Abdul Wahab Ismail, and the follow-up of the unit's liaison officer, Asst. Prof. Dr. Mayada Hamid Mohsen, the Women’s Affairs Unit at the Technical University organized an awareness lecture titled “Rural Women and Climate Change”. The lecture was delivered by Dr. Amal Najim Hassan from the Scientific Research Authority / Agricultural Research Center, who emphasized the importance of this topic within the context of interdisciplinary research, which the university actively promotes. Dr. Amal highlighted several areas through which technology faculty could develop innovative solutions to address climate change challenges. She also discussed the role of technology in improving the lives of rural women, contributing to sustainable development. Additionally, the lecture covered the economic and social impacts of climate change on rural women, opening new horizons for scientific research and enriching the diversity of academic projects. It is worth noting that activities like these reflect the university's commitment to highlighting critical issues affecting local communities and enhancing the role of women in confronting environmental challenges.

The Computer Engineering Department and the Applied Chemistry Branch Organize a Workshop on Scientific Publishing The Computer Engineering Department, in collaboration with the Applied Chemistry Branch, organized a workshop titled “Scientific Publishing” in the department’s conference hall. The workshop was presented by Dr. Thamer Adnan Abdullah, Rapporteur of the Applied Chemistry Branch, and Dr. Dhari Ali Mahmoud from the Computer Engineering Department. The event was attended by Prof. Dr. Khalida Farhan Suhail, Head of the Applied Chemistry Branch, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Ghidaa Mutashar Abdul Sahib, Head of the Networks Engineering Branch in the Computer Engineering Department, along with a distinguished group of faculty members, postgraduate students, and researchers interested in scientific publishing. The workshop covered several key topics, including: The role of scientific publishing in advancing knowledge and promoting academic research. An overview of different scientific indexing databases and how to select the right journals for publishing research. Local and international journal accreditation standards and the criteria used to evaluate journal reputation and reliability. A methodological guide on writing scientific papers in accordance with rigorous academic standards. The workshop aimed to enhance research writing skills among academics and students, while also promoting a culture of scientific publishing within academic institutions, contributing to the advancement of research quality at the university.

The Department of Applied Sciences Completes the First Stage of the “Three-Minute Thesis Competition” for Undergraduate Studies The Department of Applied Sciences has successfully completed the first stage of the “Three-Minute Thesis Competition” for undergraduate students. The competition featured seven teams of outstanding fourth-year students from three scientific branches of the department. The Mathematics and Computer Applications Branch had three teams: • Haneen Saad Hameed, supervised by Prof. Dr. Areej Musab Abduldaem • Zahraa Hamoud Abbas, supervised by Prof. Dr. Shatha Asaad Salman • Baneen Fadel Obais, supervised by Asst. Prof. Dr. Raghad Ibrahim The Applied Physics Branch also had three teams: • The first team: Ali Mohammed Jasim and Ayman Ahmed Yassin, supervised by Dr. Widian Kazem Abdul • The second team: Aya Maher, Athraa Haider, and Hoor Al-Aqil, supervised by Asst. Prof. Dr. Suad Salem Shakir • The third team: Nezar Fouad Sharmahi, supervised by Dr. Maryam Azhar Ali The Laser Science and Technology Branch had a single team: • Ahmed Rami Hazem and Murtadha Mohsen Rashm, supervised by Asst. Lecturer Ali Hatem Atallah The competing students presented their projects before a judging panel chaired by Prof. Dr. Areej Musab Abduldaem from the Mathematics and Computer Applications Branch. The panel members included: • Prof. Dr. Enas Mohi from the Medical and Industrial Materials Science Branch • Prof. Dr. Ali Abdulrahman Taha from the Biotechnology Branch • Prof. Dr. Mohammed Seham Rasheed from the Applied Physics Branch • Asst. Prof. Dr. Dhafer Saber Khalaf from the Applied Chemistry Branch • Asst. Prof. Dr. Alaa Abdul Jabbar Hussein from the Laser Science and Technology Branch • Asst. Prof. Dr. Sadiq Hani Lafta from the Applied Sciences Research Unit The evaluation of competing students was based on two main criteria: presentation quality and delivery style. The assessment covered: • Clarity of the main idea and project background • Significance and impact of the project • Student’s ability to capture audience attention • Use of language suitable for a non-specialist audience • Effectiveness of the presentation slide in conveying the project concept At the end of the competition, the judging panel announced that Ahmed Rami Hazem and Murtadha Mohsen Rashm from the Laser Science and Technology Branch won the first stage and qualified for the second stage of the competition, where they will compete with students from other scientific departments of the university.

The Department of Biomedical and Industrial Materials Science awarded a Master’s degree to graduate student Mustafa Abdul Sahib Najm for his thesis titled:
“ Effect of Seed Layer Type on Copper Oxide Thin Films Prepared by Chemical Bath Deposition “
The defence took place in the department building of the late Professor Dr. Abdul-Muttalib Ibrahim Al-Sheikh Hall. The thesis defense committee was composed

• Prof. Dr. Uday Ata Hammadi Al-Iraqia University / College of Education / Department of Physics – Chairman
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Mufeed Abdul Latif Jalil Department of Applied Sciences / Biomedical and Industrial Materials Science Branch – Member
• Lecturer Dr. Manal Abdul Wahid Aboud Department of Applied Sciences / Biomedical and Industrial Materials Science Branch – Member
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Mustafa Amer Hassan Department of Applied Sciences / Biomedical and Industrial Materials Science Branch – Member and Supervisor
• Prof. Dr. Khalil Ibrahim Hassoun Department of Applied Sciences / Laser Science and Technology Branch – Member and Supervisor

In this study, seed layers for copper oxide were prepared using three different precursor materials, and seed layers of iron(III) oxide (hematite) and nickel oxide were prepared using the thermal chemical spray technique. These seed layers served as substrates for the subsequent deposition of copper oxide thin films using the chemical bath deposition (CBD) method, where ammonium hydroxide was used as a complexing agent. The films were annealed at 400°C after deposition. The structural properties (X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS)), optical properties (UV-Vis spectroscopy), and electrical properties (DC conductivity, Hall effect, and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics) of the copper oxide thin films were investigated to assess the effect of seed layers on enhancing their efficiency in optoelectronic applications. X-ray diffraction (XRD) tests revealed that the copper oxide thin films exhibited a monoclinic crystal structure, varying the preferred growth orientations. FESEM images showed that the morphology of the copper oxide thin films was influenced by the type of seed layer, affecting the uniformity and aggregation of grains. A smoother surface of the seed layers, as indicated by FESEM analysis, resulted in the appearance of a more significant number of diffraction peaks in XRD analysis for the subsequently deposited films. EDS analysis confirmed the absence of impurities in the copper oxide films, and elemental mapping demonstrated a homogeneous distribution of copper and oxygen atoms, with the most uniform distribution observed in films deposited on copper oxide seed layers. UV-Vis spectroscopy analysis indicated that the prepared films had an energy band gap ranging from 1.47 to 1.65 eV, determined using Tauc’s plot. Furthermore, Urbach energy decreased in the presence of seed layers, with the most significant reduction observed in films deposited on copper oxide seed layers. DC conductivity measurements revealed variations in activation energy (0.192–0.532 eV) and electrical conductivity values, which ranged from (6.24×10⁻⁶ – 2.30×10⁻² S·cm⁻¹) depending on the type of seed layer. A direct correlation was observed between the number of diffraction peaks in XRD analysis and electrical conductivity. Hall effect measurements showed that copper oxide thin films deposited on seed layers exhibited higher carrier mobility than those deposited directly on glass. In both cases, the majority of charge carriers were holes. Additionally, the I-V characteristics of the prepared thin films demonstrated an improved rectifying behaviour in the presence of seed layers. The photoelectrical conductivity of the films was further enhanced by the incorporation of ruthenium dye (N719).