Academic Staff

May 14, 2026, 12:02 a.m.
Dadvan Hakeem Abdulrahman (Master)
None
Lecturer in Hydrology

Geography
College of Basic Education
University of Duhok

  • PhD student in Hydrology, College of Humanities, University of Duhok, 2023.
  • MA in Hydrology, College of Humanities, University of Duhok, 2016.
  • Diploma in Teaching, College of Humanities, University of Duhok, 2017.
  • BA in English Language, College of Linguistics University of Duhok, 2020.
  • BA in Geography, College of Humanities, University of Duhok, 2012 .

My teaching career at the University of Duhok spans more than a decade (2012–Present), demonstrating sustained commitment to delivering high-quality education and training across the breadth of geographical and environmental sciences. My pedagogy emphasizes the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical, field-based, and geospatial applications.

Institutional Progression and Core Curriculum (2012–Present)

Beginning as an Assistant Lecturer (2012–2016) and progressing to Lecturer (2016–Present) within the Department of Geography across both the College of Humanities and the College of Education, I have cultivated a robust and interdisciplinary teaching portfolio. Core responsibilities have included foundational and advanced courses that connect physical processes with human systems, ensuring students are equipped with both analytical and conceptual skills.

The consistency of my teaching load highlights my deep expertise in several critical areas:

Hydrology: Providing students with a rigorous understanding of the water cycle, resource management, and environmental modeling techniques.

Geographical Information Systems (GIS): Offering comprehensive instruction in geospatial data acquisition, analysis, and visualization, positioning students for technical careers in environmental and urban planning.

Geographical Thought: Grounding students in the history, philosophy, and methodological frameworks that define the discipline of Geography.

Specialized and Advanced Course Instruction

My expertise extends to specialized sub-disciplines, contributing to a diverse curriculum tailored to student concentrations:

Human and Political Geography: For advanced students, I teach Urban Geography and Political Geography, analyzing the spatial distribution of power, urban forms, and the interplay between governance and environment.

Physical and Cartographic Sciences: I have provided instruction in Cartography (map making, projection, and design principles) and Astronomical Geography (the geographical relevance of celestial mechanics and time-space relationships), ensuring a well-rounded understanding of the Earth’s systems and their representation.

Pedagogical and Programmatic Responsibilities

Beyond core lecture delivery, my responsibilities have centered on developing practical, application-oriented skills among students. This includes:

Curriculum Development and Delivery: Preparing and delivering comprehensive lectures, leading practical sessions, and designing detailed laboratory work for all assigned courses.

Assessment and Evaluation: Developing rigorous course materials, standardized assessments, and student assignments tailored to both theoretical comprehension and technical application.

Applied Research and Fieldwork: Supervising mandatory student fieldwork projects and actively mentoring the application of geospatial tools in environmental studies, translating classroom concepts into real-world problem-solving scenarios.

Community and Professional Training: Leading and conducting specialized training workshops in GIS and related geospatial software for both students and external stakeholders, contributing to broader capacity building within the region.

Academic Contributions, Conference Participation, and Professional Development

My academic engagement extends beyond teaching and supervision into institutional service, scholarly discourse, and continuous professional upskilling in high-demand technical fields.

Institutional Leadership and Service

I have demonstrated significant leadership and commitment to advancing geospatial literacy within the University of Duhok by serving as the Organizer of the GIS Scientific Day for three consecutive years. This recurring event served as a critical platform for students, faculty, and industry professionals to share research, explore new applications of geospatial technologies, and foster a dynamic learning environment.

Scholarly Engagement and Conference Participation

Active involvement in academic conferences is central to my scholarly profile, ensuring my teaching and research remain current with emerging trends in Geography and Human Sciences. My recent participation includes:

2024:

“Towards a More Advanced Future” Conference, University of Mosul

Geography and the Modern Era Conference, Erbil

2023: Conference on History and Human Sciences, University of Duhok

2020: Conference of Human Studies, University of Duhok

Continuous Professional Development and Advanced Training

I maintain a strong commitment to enhancing my pedagogical and technical capabilities through targeted training and certified courses, focusing specifically on advanced geospatial and management skills:

Specialized Technical Training:

GIS and Distributed Hydrological Modeling (7.5 ECTS): Completed through the Erasmus+ GeoNetC Project at Lund University, Sweden (2018). This intensive training formalized my expertise in critical water modeling techniques.

Cartography: Six-week professional certification completed through ESRI – The Science of Where, focusing on advanced map design and geospatial data visualization principles.

Research and Management Skills:

Scientific Research Skills: Six-month intensive course at the University of Duhok.

Project Management: Eight-day course focused on planning, execution, and evaluation techniques, completed at the University of Duhok.

English Language Proficiency: Three-month course at the University of Duhok.

Research

  • Abdulrahman, D. H. (2024). Assessment of Duhok District dams (2020–2024) using GIS and remote sensing techniques (NDWI). Nawroz Journal, 10, 296.
  • Abdulrahman, D. H. (2024). Detection and assessment of morphological changes along the Khabur River between Zalkota and Khamish using GIS and remote sensing. International Journal of Historical and Social Studies, 37, 43.
  • Klari, Z. M., & Abdulrahman, D. H. (2022). Hydrological assessment of existing dam sites using ArcGIS in Zawita District. Kurdistan Journal of Applied Research, 7(1), 45–63.
  • Abdulrahmar, D. H. (2021). Identification and mapping of flood-prone zones in Duhok City using geospatial techniques. Academic Journal of Nawroz University, 10(3), 296–303.
  • Abdulrahman, D. H. (2021). Chemical characterization and quality assessment of bottled water in Duhok Governorate. Academic Journal of Nawroz University, 10(H), 310–317.
  • Abdulrahman, D. H. (2016). Water harvesting potential in the Gomel and Rokeram basins and their application in Duhok Governorate. (Master's thesis or dissertation). University of Duhok.

My primary research interests are concentrated at the intersection of quantitative environmental modeling and applied socio-geographic policy, aiming to develop integrated solutions for water resource resilience and sustainable land management in the face of rapid environmental change.

The foundational pillar of this inquiry lies in Hydrology and Water Resources Management. Specifically, I am focused on the development and application of Distributed Hydrological Modeling techniques, which provide the high spatial and temporal resolution necessary for accurate Surface Runoff Modeling and Watershed Analysis. Methodologically, this work relies heavily on the advanced capabilities of GIS and Remote Sensing Applications in Environmental Studies. These spatial technologies are crucial for parameterizing models, assimilating real-time data, and scaling localized hydrological processes to the broader watershed level, thereby improving predictive capacity for flood control, irrigation planning, and drought mitigation.

Building upon this technical foundation, my research extends into the applied dimensions of human systems and governance. This involves exploring concepts in Urban Geography and Political Geography to understand how demographic shifts, infrastructure development, and policy decisions influence, and are influenced by, the environmental phenomena captured in the hydrological models. The overarching goal is to transition theoretical understanding into tangible strategies for Sustainable Land Use and Environmental Planning. A critical component of this holistic approach involves rigorously assessing Climate Change Impacts on Water and Land Systems, translating model projections into actionable policy recommendations that enhance ecological and infrastructural resilience for human communities.

Fostering Independent Research and Geospatial Competency

A crucial dimension of my academic service involves the intensive supervision of undergraduate research projects. My mentorship philosophy is centered on guiding students from initial concept to final defense, ensuring they develop true competency in applied environmental analysis. I oversee capstone projects that span my core areas of expertise, including hydrology, GIS applications, watershed analysis, and environmental geography. The process is structured to provide hands-on experience with advanced methodologies: I actively guide students through data collection protocols, sophisticated spatial analysis techniques, the execution of hydrological modeling, and, critically, the rigorous process of scientific writing. This end-to-end involvement ensures students not only complete their work but also master the essential skills required for graduate study or professional practice. Ultimately, I take responsibility for evaluating senior projects and providing substantive academic and methodological feedback, instilling high standards of rigor and critical thinking in the next generation of geospatial professionals.