Master\’s Students Present a Roadmap for Employing Sustainable Materials in a Scientific Seminar

The Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Samarra organized a scientific seminar titled “Sustainable Materials: Between Local Innovation and Global Recycling.” The seminar was presented by two postgraduate (Master’s) students, Tayba Siddiq Mahmoud and Fatima Iyad Ibrahim, under the supervision of Lecturer Dr. Suhail Najm Abdullah. This event was part of the department’s scientific activities aimed at establishing the principles of sustainability in architecture and engineering.

The seminar covered the concept of sustainable materials and their role in reducing the environmental impact of the construction sector, alongside a comprehensive presentation of the latest trends in local innovation for producing eco-friendly materials and utilizing recycling, which is an effective tool for lowering construction costs and reducing carbon emissions.

The presenters reviewed a set of local and global examples that embodied practical applications in this field, such as experiences using enhanced clay, green concrete, and hybrid materials that combine natural and manufactured elements.

Simultaneously, the seminar focused on the importance of localizing the environmental industry in Iraq and encouraging research into developing sustainable materials using local resources such as clay, paper waste, or industrial ash, in alignment with the principles of the Circular Economy and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The seminar featured an interactive scientific discussion among students and faculty members, where new ideas were proposed for employing these materials in academic projects and future graduation projects, emphasizing the importance of linking sustainability with local identity in architectural design.