Students drive change at Kufa University

There are times when you find the need to take matters into your own hands instead of endlessly waiting for change from above. This is what a group of ambitious students at Kufa University experienced first hand. After several failed attempts at convincing the staff and faculty, fellow classmates came to the conclusion that their best option was to bring about change themselves.

As a student, there is always a need to be surrounded by a resourceful and inspiring study environment. This is the main factor that motivated us to refurbish and reshape the conditions of our academic facilities. To start with, the English Department building was dim, lacking equipment, and worn down to a great extent. The buildup of damage from years of negligence had left the department with a less than welcoming atmosphere. These conditions were easily transformed through the motivation and will of the new generation of students.

From painting and cement mixing, to flower planting and gardening, the students covered many areas. Every wall and corner of the department was brought to life with just a fresh coat of paint. Meanwhile, there were certain parts of the department that needed more labor and refurbishment, such as walls and benches that were in disrepute. The bathroom facilities needed mirrors and new doors, which were brought in and installed. The students also found it necessary to bring nature into their learning environment, because who doesn’t love the bright colors of greenery and flowers? Old, battered lockers were taken down, and newer, better shaped ones were brought in instead. Students who were not able to help with the labor offered financial assistance. The money they collected from each individual student was modest, but once accumulated was more than enough to meet the needs of the department. These small details added up and overall made a great difference to the English Department, and more importantly a great difference to the mood of fellow classmates.

As a team, the students came together to improve the areas that needed change. They put aside concerns of sleeping late on a weekend and staying home relaxing, and instead spent their days off renewing the department. It would have been easy to complain about their learning environment and demand change from the faculty of the university. Or the students could have kept quiet and accepted the status quo. But they did not.

The dedication of these students is a clear statement from this new generation. A statement of motivation, inspiration, and improvement. It is positive change that reflects a commitment from the younger generation. Coming together as a group of tenacious young people, they had an objective in mind that they were able to achieve as a team.

This should be the main focus of young Iraqis. Our society needs renewed leadership and commitment on the grassroots level to bring about the change we need and expect – not just in our environment, but in ourselves too. It is easy to blame others for the state of our lives and country. But is it that difficult to blame ourselves for a change? Why not hold our own selves guilty for whatever state we are in and strive to reach better circumstances? Why should we wait for change to be made by others, instead of making it ourselves?