Northern Technical University declares former president absent during international honour
An official document from the Technical Engineering College in Kirkuk lists Dr. Aliya Al-Attar as absent from duty since 25/10/2026, while she was receiving an honour from UNESCO during the closing of the TVET III project.
The Technical Engineering College in Kirkuk, affiliated with the Northern Technical University, issued an administrative order in which Professor Dr. Aliya Abbas Ali Al-Attar was considered absent from duty effective 25/10/2026 and until she resumes work, according to an official document obtained by the university.
The decision stated that its basis relied on the end of her granted medical leave and her failure to report to the college after that date, which led the university administration to classify her administrative status as absent until her return.
By contrast, and according to sources, Dr. Aliya was present by official invitation to receive an international honour at the closing roundtable of the TVET III project at Koya University in the Kurdistan Region. The event was organized by UNESCO in partnership with the European Union and the High Steering Committee in the General Secretariat of the Council of Ministers. During the meeting she was presented with a shield of excellence and a letter of thanks and appreciation in recognition of her career and previous leadership.
Dr. Aliya Al-Attar expressed regret at the taking of such a measure and described the scene as "worthy of reflection and pause," noting that entities, organizations and senior leaders were celebrating her while her university chose to record her as absent, and questioning how such actions align with academic standards and the "ethics of knights."
