Mission
To study, preserve and revitalise the rich cultural and artistic heritage of Kurdistan; to educate young people through an ethical, social and creative understanding of the arts; and to introduce Kurdish art to the global community.
A college of Rojava University · Est. 2024
Culture & Arts College
The first formal college of the arts in Rojava — studying, preserving and revitalising the cultural and artistic heritage of Kurdistan, and educating the next generation of artists.
- 2024
- Founded
- 129
- Active students
- 4
- Academic programs
- 2
- Years of study
2024First college of the arts in Rojava
About the college
The first college of the arts in Rojava
Culture & Arts College was founded on 15 October 2024 as the first formal college to teach the arts in Rojava. Located in Derek (Dêrik), north-east Syria, it opened with three branches — Music, Theatre and Cinema — and 60 students in its first year.
In its second year the college welcomed 82 students and grew to four programs, adding Fine Arts (Painting and Sculpture). The campus comprises three main blocks and provides students with a furnished dormitory and a kitchen serving residents.
The administration block houses student affairs, the joint-directorship, the dormitory office, archiving, examination affairs, media, coordination and finance — alongside a library for research and reading. All teaching staff are specialists in the arts, with some academics contributing online from different regions and countries.
- ✓Three founding branches, now four academic programs
- ✓A campus of three main blocks with dormitory and kitchen
- ✓A library, and lecturers joining from around the world
Mission & vision
What guides our work
Vision
To be recognised as a leading centre for higher arts education in Rojava — promoting cultural diversity, gender equality and ecological awareness across all artistic fields, and striving for leadership and excellence.
Objectives
In a region affected by conflict and displacement, we strive to provide high-quality education with the resources available, and to develop collaborations with sister universities and international partners through exchanges, joint projects and workshops.
Core values
01Creativity & innovation
02Preserving Kurdish art & culture
03Social responsibility
04Transparency & integrity
05Institutional work
06Teamwork
Academic programs
Four departments, one artistic mission
The college offers four academic programs, each led by its own head of department.
Theatre
Acting theory and practice, dramatic writing, scenography and the history of Kurdish theatre.
View curriculum
Fine Arts & Sculpture
Drawing fundamentals, colour theory, sculpture, form and the history of painting.
View curriculumStudent body
129 students, one community
Our educational model integrates academic instruction with social activities.
129
Active students across two years
First year
82Music26 students
Theatre13 students
Cinema23 students
Fine Arts & Sculpture20 students
Second year
47Music21 students
Theatre9 students
Cinema17 students
✦ The college is open to all religions, sects and nations — today it includes Kurdish students alongside Arab and Ezidi students.
Strategic plan 2025–2030
A roadmap for the years ahead
Four goals guide the college's development through 2030.
A distinguished scientific and cultural centre
- Attract highly qualified academic staff.
- Secure an academic environment that stimulates creativity and innovation.
- Develop the performance of the teaching staff.
- Develop academic plans and programmes in line with scientific and cultural progress.
- Create new educational programmes suited to future needs.
- Broaden cooperation with international institutes and strengthen twinning with regional and global universities.
- Commit to quality assurance and prepare for academic accreditation.
- Adopt blended education as a step towards distance learning.
- Market the college's outputs.
Advancing scientific, artistic and cultural research
- Enable scientific research by securing its essential foundations.
- Set research themes that serve the reconstruction phase.
- Motivate teaching staff and develop their capacities in research and publication.
- Develop research with productive institutions and support business incubators.
- Build scientific relations with local and international institutions.
- Establish technology and business incubators in priority fields.
- Support the creation of Centres of Excellence.
Institutional excellence and effective performance
- Strengthen a policy- and procedure-based administrative system.
- Seek institutional accreditation.
- Qualify administrative staff and develop work mechanisms.
- Strengthen documentation to accumulate and benefit from experience.
Development and community service
- Spread awareness of community and environmental issues.
- Support the continuous development of the surrounding community.
- Benefit from the college's infrastructure in community development.
Administration
Governance built on cooperation
The college is jointly managed by two co-directors, while each department — Music, Theatre, Cinema and Fine Arts — is led by its own head.
Despite challenging conditions, the college's members work with dedication to ensure students receive accessible and effective education. Lectures are held regularly, and first- and second-year students take part actively in academic and social life.
The College Council brings together the administration, deputies, department representatives and the student union.
Joint Administration
Deputy 1Deputy 2Deputy 3Deputy 4Deputy 5
Programs
MusicTheatreCinemaDrawing & SculptureDance
Support & Operations
LibraryActivities & EventsRelationsLogistics & ProcurementLegalDiwanArchiveFinanceStudent Affairs (Exams & Dormitory)MediaTranslation & AdministrationSecurity
College CouncilAdministration · Deputies · Department representatives · Student union
Curriculum
What our students study
Select a year and semester to view the courses in each department.
Music
- Music Theory
- Rhythmic Solfège
- Vocal Solfège
- Piano
- Rhythm
- Listening
- Voice
Theatre
- Acting Theories
- Practical Acting
- History of World Theater
- Art of Expression
- Dramatic Writing
- Dance
Cinema
- Screenwriting
- History of Cinema
- Language of Cinema
- Camera
- Introduction to Cinema and Terminology
- Cinema and Philosophy
- Film Analysis
Fine Arts & Sculpture
- Color Theory
- Basics of Drawing
- Sculpture
- Appearance / Form
- History of Painting
General lectures taken by all students together
- Foundations of Democratic Society
- Research Methods
- Kurdish Language
- Kurdish Literature
- English Language
- History of Art
These lectures are taken by all students from the four sections together, so they can develop their educational and intellectual skills collaboratively, share and discuss perspectives, and be active in the community.
Student services
A campus that supports its students
From housing to healthcare, the college cares for the whole student.
Student dormitory
Two fully furnished buildings with free meals, 24-hour hot water and central heating, safety systems, and round-the-clock supervision — with priority for first-year and displaced students.
Library
A quiet, well-equipped space supporting education and research with modern and diverse sources — books, periodicals and databases.
Sports club & swimming pool
Facilities that build the complete student — physical health, stress relief, confidence, team spirit and the discovery of talent.
Health services
On-duty vehicles and transport to hospitals around the clock, with emergency numbers available to all students.
Careers & skills centre
Dedicated rooms for the professions — a cinema and theatre hall with editing equipment, music rehearsal rooms, and art training studios.
Code of conduct
Our ethical charter
A shared commitment of the college community — administration, faculty, staff and students.
General conduct
- Respect the college's laws, regulations and council decisions.
- Be loyal to the college and safeguard its reputation, facilities and confidentiality.
- Treat others with mutual respect and allow the right to differing, civilly expressed thought.
- Carry out duties honestly, seriously and sincerely.
Administration
- Openness to all staff and students with regular, free dialogue.
- Justice, equality and a clear definition of rights and duties.
- Encouraging creativity and research with the necessary support.
- Continuous development of administrative and academic processes.
Faculty
- Cooperation, integrity and mutual respect.
- Mastering courses and keeping their content up to date.
- Scientific honesty and respect for intellectual property.
- Being a role model, and treating all students equally and fairly.
- Encouraging independent thought and respectful debate.
Students
- Respect and appreciation for staff and fellow students.
- Fulfilling learning duties — attendance, exams and research on time.
- Active participation in the college's activities.
- Preserving the campus, its facilities and its cleanliness.
Administrative staff
- Perform assigned duties honestly and promptly within the regulations.
- Serve staff, students and visitors with ease within the rules.
- Never exploit a position for personal gain.
Gallery
Life at the college
Get involved
Join us in sustaining Kurdish-language arts education
We warmly invite friends and artists to contribute to this mission — supporting the expansion of arts education and the cultural vitality of the region. Whether through partnerships, workshops or support, your contribution matters.