AUIB Commencement 2026

About the event

Commencement 2026 marks a defining moment in the history of American University of Iraq–Baghdad. It is more than a ceremony, it is the realization of a vision and the celebration of a journey that began with a bold belief in the power of education to shape the future of Iraq.

This year, AUIB proudly celebrates its second undergraduate class and its first (MBA) graduate class. From the day the university opened its doors in the heart of Baghdad, the mission has been clear: to offer a world-class, American-style education that nurtures curiosity, integrity, and leadership, while honoring Iraq’s deep intellectual and cultural heritage. Today, that mission takes tangible form in the achievements of our graduates.

Commencement is a moment of pride not only for our students, but also for the families who supported them, the faculty who guided them, and the entire AUIB community that believed in this dream from the beginning. Each graduate represents perseverance, ambition, and the promise of a brighter future.

Founder’s Medal

The Founder’s Medal is presented in honor of Dr. Saadi Waheeb Saihood, Founding Father of the American University of Iraq – Baghdad, and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, whose vision, dedication, and founding commitment helped establish this academic institution and strengthen its development and standing.

Inspired by long-standing academic traditions around the world, the Medal is conferred at Commencement as one of the University’s highest formal recognitions.

For this year’s Commencement, the Founder’s Medal is awarded to the individual with the highest academic standing in each college.

The front of the Medal features the inscription “Founder’s Medal” prominently at the center of the design, encircled by the official Commencement wording and date, marking the occasion for which the honor is conferred.

The reverse of the Medal features the profile of Dr. Saadi Waheeb Saihood, honoring the Founder whose name the Medal bears and giving the honor its personal, historical, and institutional significance.

As AUIB’s most treasured distinction, the Founder’s Medal embodies institutional pride and remains a lasting symbol of the University’s purpose, promise, and pursuit of excellence.