Shayan: ERBIL, KURDISTAN – February 26, 2025 – The Civil Engineering Department of Tishk International University (TIU) in collaboration with the ACI TIU Student Chapter successfully organized the Fiber Reinforced Concrete (FRC) Bowling Ball Competition. The event brought together 150 civil engineering students in 30 teams from nine universities across Kurdistan, showcasing innovation and practical application of engineering principles.
The competition challenged students to design and create bowling balls using fiber-reinforced concrete, testing their technical knowledge, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. This practical challenge aimed at enhancing students’ understanding of concrete technology while developing essential soft skills including teamwork, communication, and project management.
A distinguished panel of five professors served as judges, meticulously evaluating each entry based on multiple criteria including design innovation, technical execution, material properties, and performance testing. After thorough assessment and deliberation by this expert jury, the winners were announced.
Raparin University claimed the first-place honors with their innovative design that demonstrated exceptional strength-to-weight ratio and surface finish. Tishk International University secured the second-place position, while Duhok University and another team from Tishk International University shared the third-place recognition.
“This competition provides students with a unique opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world engineering challenges,” said Dr. Agreen Abdullah, Vice Minister of Ministry of Housing and Construction at KRG. “The impressive participation from universities across Kurdistan demonstrates the growing interest in advanced concrete technology among our future engineers.”
The event, officially recognized by the American Concrete Institute, was made possible through the generous support of industry sponsors Iberia and 4Bridges, highlighting the crucial partnership between academia and industry in fostering educational excellence.
Representatives from participating universities including Salahaddin University, Erbil Polytechnic University, Koya University, Soran University, and Duhok Polytechnic University expressed appreciation for the opportunity to engage their students in this practical learning experience.
The competition culminated in an awards ceremony where distinguished guests from academia and industry presented certificates and plaques to the winning teams and contributors who made the event possible.
This successful event underscores TIU’s commitment to providing hands-on learning experiences that prepare students for professional challenges while strengthening inter-university collaboration across Kurdistan’s higher education institutions.
