On December 15–16, 2025, the Mechatronics Department at Tishk International University (TIU) proudly organized the 2025 International Conference on Synergizing Health, Artificial Intelligence, and Pedagogical Excellence and Enterprise (SHAPE2025), held in Erbil, Kurdistan Region. The conference was organized in strategic cooperation with the University of Liverpool and the University of Bradford (United Kingdom) and represented a significant milestone for our department’s international academic engagement.
SHAPE2025 brought together researchers, academics, policymakers, and industry professionals to discuss how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are transforming healthcare, education, and enterprise. The conference was supported by Harlem Group, the Iraqi Private Banks League, the University of Al-Hamdaniya, and the Arab International Foundation for Education Development, highlighting strong national and regional support for research and innovation.
The opening session featured a welcoming address by Dr. Idris Hadi, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the International University of Erbil, who received officials from various Iraqi ministries, the Governor of Erbil, presidents of several Iraqi universities, and the President of Amman Arab University (Jordan), alongside local and international guests.
The idea behind SHAPE2025 originated from a strategic academic meeting held in Tunisia in March, where representatives of Tishk International University met with professors from leading British universities. During this meeting, a shared vision emerged for creating an international platform focused on artificial intelligence and its growing impact on human life, health systems, and education—an idea that later became SHAPE2025.
The conference attracted 42 research submissions, with 35 papers accepted after peer review, representing 106 researchers from 14 countries. In addition, seven keynote speakers, five of whom traveled from abroad, delivered insightful talks that enriched discussions and offered diverse international perspectives.
Over two days, participants took part in two plenary sessions, six parallel scientific sessions, a dedicated session on entrepreneurship and innovation, and official opening and closing sessions. These activities created a collaborative space for exchanging ideas, sharing research outcomes, and exploring future academic and industry partnerships.
SHAPE2025 concluded with several important outcomes, including the decision to establish SHAPE as an annual international conference, a strong commitment to expanding international cooperation, institutional support for publishing accepted papers in indexed international databases, and a clear emphasis on the ethical, transparent, and responsible use of artificial intelligence.
By leading SHAPE2025, the Mechatronics Department at Tishk International University reaffirmed its role in advancing interdisciplinary research, fostering global academic collaboration, and contributing meaningfully to international discussions on artificial intelligence—while helping position Erbil as a growing centre for scientific and educational exchange.
Keywords: SHAPE2025, international conference, Tishk International University, University of Liverpool, University of Bradford, Artificial Intelligence, AI, Health, Education, Finance, cutting-edge research.
