Academic Staff

May 31, 2026, 9:38 a.m.
Khalil Abdulqadir Derwesh (PhD)
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor in Meat science

Animal Production
College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences
University of Duhok

  • Ph.D. in Meat Production, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region–Iraq, 2013.
  • M.Sc. in Meat Production and Technology, University of Mosul, Iraq, 2006.
  • B.Sc. in Animal Production, University of Duhok, Kurdistan Region–Iraq, 2000.

  • Teaching Beef Cattle Production to 4th-year Animal Production students at the University of Duhok since 2006, including both theoretical and practical sessions.
  • Delivered Beef Cattle Production courses with combined theory and practical components since 2010, enhancing students’ applied knowledge in livestock management.
  • Instructed 3rd-year students on Hygiene of Animal Production (2009–present), emphasizing animal health, biosecurity, and production efficiency.
  • Taught Meat Science and Technology (2006–2014) and Meat Science (2014–2019), covering meat quality, processing techniques, and safety standards.
  • Conducted Meat Technology courses for 3rd-year students (2015–2019), focusing on practical processing skills and technological applications in meat production.
  • Delivered Principles of Animal Production to 1st-year students since 2007, providing foundational knowledge in livestock systems, nutrition, and management.
  • Supervised Seminar sessions for 4th-year students (2006–present), guiding independent research, presentations, and critical thinking.
  • Taught Principles of Animal Production to 2nd-year Field Crop students (2014–2021), integrating interdisciplinary approaches to animal and crop production.
  • Instructed Ruminant Production (2016–2018), covering sheep, goat, and cattle management practices with practical demonstrations.
  • Delivered Livestock Production courses to 3rd-year Agricultural Extension students (2018–present), emphasizing farm advisory, productivity, and sustainability.
  • Conducted Animal Project Design and Planning (2019–present) for 4th-year Agricultural Extension students, training them in project management and farm development.
  • Taught Animal Housing Design to 3rd-year students (2019–present), focusing on practical and scientific principles of livestock facility design.
  • Instructed Sheep and Goat Production (2022–present), emphasizing breeding, nutrition, housing, and overall herd management strategies.

Academic and Professional Roles

  • 2001–2003: Demonstrator (Teaching Practical Lectures) in the Department of Animal Production, University of Duhok.
  • 2002: Team Leader, FAO Animal Survey in Duhok Region.
  • 2003 & 2013: Member of College Committee on Undergraduate Student Summer Training Courses.
  • 2007: Assistant Supervisor, Undergraduate Student Summer Training Course, Department of Animal Production.
  • 2007–2009, 2012–2013, 2014–2015: Lecturer and Member of the Departmental Council, Department of Animal Production.
  • 2008: Member of the Examination Committee, College of Agriculture and Forestry.
  • 2013–2017: Member of the Scientific Committee, Department of Animal Production.
  • 2013–2014: Head of the Scientific Committee for Supervision of Animal Projects.
  • 2014–2015: Head of the Scientific Committee for Supervision of Student Projects.
  • 2014–2015 (2 years): Head of the Quality Assurance Committee, Department of Animal Production, and Member of the College Quality Assurance Committee.
  • 2015: Member of a Joint Committee Between the College of Agriculture and the Directorate of Investment, Duhok Province, to Prepare Proposals for Agricultural Development.
  • 2014–2015: Member of the Discussion Committee, MSc Thesis (Effect of Zeranol Implant on Growth Performance and Carcass Traits of Black Goat Kids).
  • 2015–2016: Member of the Discussion Committee, MSc Proposal (Genetic and Phenotypic Parameters for Some Growth Traits in Meraz Goats).
  • 2015–2016: Member of the Discussion Committee, MSc Thesis (Animal Science).
  • 2016–2020: Head of the Department of Animal Production.
  • 2017–2021: Member of the Curriculum Organizing Committee, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences.
  • 2020–2022: Supervisor, MSc Thesis (Fatah M. Khalaf).
  • 2021–2022: Member of the Discussion Committee, MSc Thesis (Effect of Slaughter Weight on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Profitability of Awassi and Karadi Lambs).
  • 2021–2022: Member of the Discussion Committee, PhD Thesis in Animal Nutrition, University of Duhok.
  • 2022–2023: Member of the Discussion Committee, MSc Thesis in Meat Science, Salahaddin University.
  • 2022–2023: Member of the Discussion Committee, MSc Thesis in Meat Production, University of Duhok.

Training and Workshops

  • Participated in English Proficiency and Computer Proficiency courses, Training and Development Center, University of Duhok, 2009.
  • Participated in Methods of Teaching training, College of Basic Education, University of Duhok, 2006.
  • Participated in a workshop on Supporting Local White Meat Production, Department of Animal Production, University of Duhok, 22 June 2014.
  • Participated in a workshop on Quality Assurance, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Duhok, 1 June 2014.
  • Participated in a workshop on Engineering Solutions for the Risks to Iraq’s Water Future, Humanitarian Issues, and Climate Change, Iraqi Society for Engineering Management, 22 February 2022.
  • Participated in a workshop on Scientific Publishing in International Journals, Continuing Education Center, University of Diyala, 23–24 February 2022.
  • Participated in a workshop on Smart Agriculture Applications in Agricultural Investment Projects Supporting Food Security in Iraq, Animal Production Department, University of Mosul, 15 February 2022.
  • Participated in a workshop on Technologies Toward the Future of Technology Investment in Teaching and Learning, IFAD Scholars and Academics Platform, 1 March 2022.
  • Participated in a webinar on Defense of Scientific Theses – Principles and Bases, Zoom Platform, IFAD, 11 March 2022.
  • Participated in a webinar on Stages of Scientific Supervision, Zoom Platform, IFAD, 4 March 2022.
  • Participated in a webinar on Scientific Supervision of Theses and Educational Supervision – Principles and Methods, Zoom Platform, IFAD, 25 February 2022.
  • Participated in a workshop on Creative Teaching, Zoom Platform, Hima, 2022.
  • Participated in a workshop on Al-Anfal and the Kurdish Anfal Operations, College of Agricultural Engineering Sciences, University of Duhok, 19 May 2022.

Research

  1. Oray, K. A. D. (2023). The relationship of plasma somatomedin (IGF-1) with performance and carcass characteristics of Awassi and Karadi lambs. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 54(4), 1153–1161. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v54i4.1832
  2. Khalaf, F. M., & Oray, K. A. D. (2021). Growth performance, carcass characteristics, and cost of gain of Awassi and Karadi lambs slaughtered at different weights. Journal of University of Duhok, 24(2), 68–74. https://doi.org/10.26682/ajuod.2021.24.2.7
  3. Alkass, J. E., Oray, K. A. D., & Merkhan, K. Y. (2019). Sheep production. University of Duhok Publication.
  4. Alkass, J. E., Baker, I. A., & Oray, K. A. D. (2018). Fatty acid composition of longissimus dorsi muscle of intact and castrated kids induced by zeranol implantation. Iraqi Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 49(2), 205–210. https://doi.org/10.36103/ijas.v49i2.103
  5. Alkass, J. E., Oray, K. A. D., & Baker, I. A. (2016). Fatty acid profile of longissimus dorsi muscle of Awassi and Karadi lambs induced by zeranol implantation. Proceedings of the 2nd Scientific Agricultural Conference, University of Duhok, April 26–27, 2016.
  6. Baker, I. A., Oray, K. A. D., & Hussien, K. N. (2015). Effect of thyme leaves extract on quality of lamb and chicken meat during storage. Journal of University of Zakho, 3(A)(2), 73–80. https://doi.org/10.25271/2015.3(2).243
  7. Alkass, J. E., Oray, K. A. D., & Baker, I. A. (2015). Effect of genetic group on fatty acid composition in lamb meat. Journal of University of Duhok, 18(1), 56–62. https://doi.org/10.26682/ajuod.2015.18.1.6
  8. Baker, I. A., & Oray, K. A. D. (2014). Effect of thyme leaves extract on quality of lamb and chicken meat during storage. Food Science and Quality Management, 27, 1–7. ISSN 2224-6088.
  9. Alkass, J. E., & Oray, K. A. D. (2014). Studies on growth, carcass traits, and body composition of goats raised either in intensive or pasture conditions (2): Body composition and carcass tissue distribution. Advances in Life Science and Technology, 19, 22–29. ISSN 2224-7181.
  10. Alkass, J. E., & Oray, K. A. D. (2014). Studies on growth, carcass traits, and body composition of goats raised either in intensive or pasture conditions (1): Growth performance and carcass traits. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare, 4(10), 14–21.
  11. Alkass, J. E., Derwesh, K. A., & Merkhan, K. Y. (2014). Performance of docked vs. undocked fat-tailed sheep: A review. Advanced Journal of Agricultural Research, 2, 29–37.
  12. Oray, K. A. D. (2013). Effect of sex, feeding system, and slaughter weight on growth rate and carcass traits of weaned native goat kids in Kurdistan Region, Iraq (Doctoral dissertation). University of Duhok, Duhok, Iraq.
  13. Derwesh, K. H. A., Merkhan, K. Y., & Buti, E. T. (2013). Impact of lactation stage on the body condition and milk quality of black goat. International Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 2(2), 48–52.
  14. Dahal, I. M., & Derwesh, K. H. A. (2009). Effect of body condition score of Hamdani and Karadi ewes on their reproductive and meat productivity of their lambs. Mesopotamia Journal of Agriculture, 39(3), 45–52.
  15. Alkass, J. E., Barwary, M. S., & Derwesh, K. H. A. (2009). Observation on some reproductive traits of local goats maintained under farm conditions in Duhok Province. Journal of University of Duhok, 12(2), 87–93.
  16. Barwary, K. H. A. D. (2006). The effect of body condition score and age of Hamdani and Karadi ewes on their production performance and their lambs’ production of meat (Master’s thesis). University of Mosul, Mosul, Iraq.

  • Meat production
  • Meat science
  • Livestock production

  • Supervised MSc Thesis: Fatah M. Khalaf, Effect of Slaughter Weight on Growth Performance, Carcass Traits, and Profitability of Awassi and Karadi Lambs (2020–2022)