The Department of Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance at Ashur University is one of the most important pillars of the educational process. It provides services and activities, and closely monitors students and affiliates to develop their abilities and potential and guide them toward correct behavior. The department's establishment began in 2022/2023 with the formation of the Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance Division at Ashur College, pursuant to University Order No. 2818 dated December 13, 2022. It carried out its advisory duties in all departments of the college. This division continued and became responsible for the psychological counseling and educational guidance units in all colleges when it became a university, and later, based on the circulars of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The Scientific Supervision and Evaluation Authority. University Counseling Department Order No. 258, dated January 14, 2025, activated the psychological counseling and educational guidance system in all public and private universities, elevating the work to the level of a department in each university. The organizational structure of the department, its divisions, and its functions were prepared. University Order No. 423 was issued on February 25, 2025, establishing the Department of Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance and its associated divisions (the Programs and Activities Follow-up and Coordination Division and the Development, Training, and Media Division), including the psychological counseling and educational guidance divisions in the colleges. The department, in accordance with directives from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, seeks to hold workshops, seminars, and guidance lectures for students and university affiliates, according to a plan prepared for this purpose. This plan includes numerous annual activities addressing guidance topics related to psychological counseling, as follows:
1. Preparing the annual guidance plan
2. Holding ongoing meetings with heads of psychological counseling divisions to monitor progress
3. Providing support and guidance to students to develop their abilities and skills to face challenges and difficulties.
4. Achieving the highest levels of mental and physical health for students.
5. Organizing various awareness-raising seminars and lectures for students to enable them to become distinguished members of society.
6. Media campaigns and guidance videos, and other topics related to psychological counseling.
Dr. Muhammad Ali Ghazi Al-Muhammadawi
Head of the Department of Psychological Counseling and Educational Guidance, Ashur University