Najaf university inspires students with innovation and patent exhibition

NAJAF — The Innovation and Patent Exhibition at the University of Kufa drew nearly 1,000 high school students this year, offering them a glimpse into cutting-edge inventions created by university students. Among the projects showcased were a device designed to help individuals who have lost their hands with eating and drinking, as well as a scientific experiment measuring the impact of sound waves on liquids.

The event featured 400 projects from 22 colleges, aiming to inspire preparatory students to explore diverse fields of study beyond traditional choices like medicine, according to Jaber Kazem, a leadership coach at the university.

“Including preparatory students exclusively in this exhibition was a deliberate effort to show them real-world projects that have already been developed and implemented,” Kazem told 964media. “We want to encourage them to choose diverse specializations when they graduate, helping them find fields suited to their passions rather than defaulting to the medical group.”

The exhibition welcomed 1,037 students from 18 schools across the governorate as part of the university’s annual celebration and the nationwide Initiative for Leadership program launched by the Iraqi government. It included practical experiments in physics and chemistry, artistic displays, and interactive demonstrations.

High school students expressed their excitement about the event. “We saw many amazing initiatives, including chemical labs, beautiful artworks, and practical experiments in physical, chemical, architectural, and engineering sciences,” said Hijran Awad, an eleventh-grade student. “We even learned how to conduct blood tests in the nursing faculty’s health lab. It’s a fantastic initiative—thank you to the university!”

University students also presented their work, offering insights into real-world applications. Abbas Al-Fadhel, a physics student, demonstrated a project on water frequency. “We explained how sound frequencies travel through water, showing that at 30 Hz, water droplets remain stable, but as the frequency changes, the water returns to its natural state,” he explained.

One of the standout projects was a 3D printer developed by engineering students, recognized as the university’s top entrepreneurial innovation. “Our 3D printer helps students complete projects and supports multiple sectors. Online, such devices cost $5,000, but we completed ours in two months for just 15,000 Iraqi dinars,” said Mohammed Amin, an engineering student.

He added that the project includes 20 different models designed for individuals with disabilities, with prosthetics provided free of charge to those in need.

Eleventh-grade student Hassanein Hamid praised the event, saying, “My classmates and I toured the projects and experiments displayed by university students and professors. We hope all universities adopt similar initiatives to engage school students.”