- Quality Assurance

 

 

Head Of Quality Assurance 

Assist. Prof. Dr. Sahar Mohammed Zaki Abdulla

M.B.Ch.B, Msc in Medical Microbiology and Clinical Immunology

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Vision

To establish a strategic, transparent, and internationally aligned quality assurance system that promotes academic excellence, enhances graduate employability, and strengthens the University’s competitiveness in global higher education.

Mission

The Quality Assurance Program at HMU is dedicated to ensuring and continuously improving academic standards by fostering a culture of quality, accountability, and innovation.

We support students, academic staff, and administrative units in implementing best practices in teaching, learning, and research, aligned with international standards and accreditation frameworks.

Strategic Objectives

Objective	Focus Area
Academic Quality	Align programs with accreditation standards
Institutional Development	Enhance academic and professional performance
Quality Culture	Promote awareness and commitment to quality
Monitoring & Evaluation	Ensure continuous performance assessment
Data & Decision Support	Strengthen planning and institutional effectiveness

 

Core Quality Assurance Activities

Activity	Purpose
Academic Plan Auditing	Ensure alignment with university standards
Teaching Performance Evaluation (TF & CME)	Improve teaching quality
Course & Curriculum Review	Maintain academic relevance
Student Feedback (SF)	Enhance learning experience
Department & Leadership Evaluation	Strengthen accountability
Academic Participation Monitoring	Encourage research and engagement

 

Quality Assurance System Components

1. Student Feedback (SF)

• Online evaluation system
• Conducted each semester
• Supports continuous improvement in teaching

 

2. Continuing Medical Education (CME)

Academic Rank	Total Score	Active	Passive
Professor	60	35	25
Assistant Professor	50	28	22
Lecturer	35	16	19
Assistant Lecturer	25	10	15

 

3. Teaching Portfolio (TAP)

Grade	Score Range
A	4.6 – 5.0
B	3.6 – 4.5
C	2.1 – 3.5
D	1.0 – 2.0

 

Digital Transformation

Since 2017, HMU has successfully implemented a fully digital, paperless Quality Assurance system, supported by Moodle and modern e-learning platforms.

This transformation enhances:

• Efficiency
• Transparency
• Data accuracy
• Real-time monitoring of academic performance

Research & Publications 

 

The College of Health Sciences at Hawler Medical University advances scientific research across clinical and biomedical sciences, public health, environmental health, food safety, microbiology, biotechnology, and climate-related health studies. The following selected publications reflect the scholarly contributions of academic staff and their engagement with contemporary health and environmental challenges.

Medical / Clinical / Biochemical Studies

1. Investigating Helicobacter pylori genotypes (cagA, vacA, iceA, babA, sabA, oipA) and gastric disease severity.

2. RAS-Related C3 Botulinum Toxin Substrate 1 Inhibition Attenuates Platelet Chemokine Activation in Diabetes Mellitus.

3. Evaluation of uric acid levels and biochemical parameters among gout patients with ketogenic diet.

4. Association of Glycated Hemoglobin Levels with Severity of Diabetic Foot Ulcer.

5. Toxicity of antiviral Remdesivir on human liver transporters.

6. Effects of SARS-CoV-2 on DNA Damage Response Proteins Chk1 and P53.

7. In Vitro Kinetic and Thermodynamic Staining Study of Energy Drinks on restorative materials.

8. Synthesis, Spectroscopic Characterization, and Comparative Antibacterial Screening of Condensation-Derived Cu(II) and Zn(II) Complexes.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.25271/sjuoz.2026.14.2.1846

Environmental Science / Toxicology / Water & Pollution

1. Integrated biological treatment of heavy metals using microalgae, yeast, and molds: a mixed culture approach.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10889868.2025.2496988

2. Multi-Microbial consortia incorporating microalgae, bacteria, and fungi for effective heavy metal removal.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10889868.2025.2552770

3. Comparative Analysis and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Detoxification by Using Bacterial Strains.

4. Integrated Multi-Index and Risk Assessment of Heavy Metal Pollution and Health Risks in Drinking Water of Erbil, Kurdistan–Iraq.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.70015

5. Urbanization and Water Insecurity in Semi-Arid Regions: A Multi-Index Assessment of Water Quality, Ecological Risk, and Public Health Impacts.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4949

6. Systematic Assessment of Toxic Metals in Children's Cereals and Snacks From Erbil, Iraq: Health and Carcinogenic Risk Evaluation.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.4978

7. Health Risk of Rainwater in Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq: Atmospheric Deposition and Public Health Implication.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.70022

8. Evaluating Public Health Risks from Bottled Water Consumption in Erbil-Kurdistan.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.64048/hir.v1n3.002

9. Long-Term Air Pollution and Health Risks in Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.64048/hir.v1n3.003

10. Dietary Exposure and Chronic Health Risks of Beverage Preservatives: A Multimatrix HPLC Assessment in Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.70052

11. Multipathway Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure in Urban Dust: Linking Ecological and Human Health Risks.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.70126

12. Risk-Informed Assessment of Heavy Metal Exposure Through Wheat Flour Consumption in Northern Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jat.70137

13. Measuring the Pulse of SBR Technology: Efficiency, Contamination Indices, and Long-Term Trends.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wer.70277

14. Assessment of seasonal variation in Duhok Dam using water quality index.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.53523/ijoirVol12I2ID573

15. GIS-Based Assessment of Air Pollutants in Erbil, Kurdistan-Iraq through Seasonal and Monthly Variations in Air Quality.

16. Site-Specific Evaluation of Sequencing Batch Reactor Systems for Municipal Wastewater Treatment Using Environmental Indices in Erbil City, Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/tqem.70464

17. Dietary exposure and health risks of heavy metals in canned animal-based food products from Erbil city, Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v40i11.7

18. Toxic metal exposure from canned foods: a comprehensive risk assessment study in the middle east.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v40i11.3

19. Residue Biochemical Identity Regulates Early Soil Fertility Recovery in Semi-Arid Agroecosystems of Erbil, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.53523/ijoirVol13I1ID647

20. Heavy metals and preservatives in commercial yoghurt from northern Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19393210.2026.2679459

21. Seasonal Variation and Spatial Distribution of Heavy Metals in Groundwater: Implications for Water Quality and Health Risks.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.21123/2411-7986.5243

22. Integrating Multivariate Statistical Analysis and Canadian Water Quality Index to Assess Seasonal Variation in Duhok Dam, Iraq.
    DOI: https://doi.org/10.60923/issn.2281-4485/22779

Microbiology / Biotechnology / Nanotechnology

1. Bacteriology Identification of Quorum Sensing in Klebsiella spp.

2. Dye removal efficiency of three fungal isolates using green-synthesized silver nanoparticles: A comparative study.

3. Evaluation of Antibiofilm and Cytotoxic Activity of Microalgae Isolated from Erbil.

4. Investigation of factors affecting microalgae development and antibacterial properties.

5. Synthesis and Analysis of Magnetic Mg-Zn Nanoferrite Coated by Flavonoids for biomedical applications.

6. Real-time biosensing of pathogenic bacteria with SERS-functionalized nucleic acid sensors: Promising new tools.

7. Nanozyme-assisted CRISPR/Cas systems as an emerging platform for food safety applications: Recent advances.

8. Optimizing fungal bioremediation conditions for enhanced wastewater treatment through pH, temperature, and inoculum control.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10889868.2026.2656617

9. A multi-index screening framework for selecting bacterial and fungal isolates for heavy-metal detoxification.
   Journal: Bioremediation Journal.

Public Health / Social / Behavioral Studies

1. Microbiological Analysis of Tissue Paper Pre- and Post-Exposure in Restrooms and its effects on women's health.

2. Psychosocial and Sexual Aspects of Female Genital Circumcision in Kurdish Women.

3. Association between schoolbag weight and musculoskeletal symptoms among students.

4. Household Cleaning Effect on Women's Health: A Public Health Concern.

5. Exploring Young Adults' Reluctance to Engage With Psychiatric Hospitals in Erbil.

6. A Practical 19-Step Guideline for Conducting and Reporting Systematic Reviews Without Meta-Analysis: The Hawler Medical University Approach.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.15218/zjms.2026.060

Climate & Mental Health

1. Climate Change Anxiety Symptoms in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

2. Climate change anxiety and its effect on emotional and functional health: Regional analysis.
   DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2025.105724