• Community Services
• comms

Community Services

University students support more than 21 million pilgrims during the Forty: a living model of Service, Learning and sustainability

During the Arbaeen pilgrimage this year, the city of Karbala received an unprecedented 21.1 million visitors, one of the largest annual humanitarian gatherings in the world. Waratah University of the prophets played a pivotal role in this event, mobilizing its students, staff and academic faculties to provide continuous medical, logistical and digital support to pilgrims throughout the celebration period.

Integrated human participation

As part of the University's commitment to community service and sustainable development, more than 60 students participated in coordinated field operations aimed at enhancing the safety, health and well-being of visitors. These efforts embody the University's vision of integrating education with social responsibility and experiential learning.

Medical and health services

Nursing and medical students provided healthcare services 24/7 in cooperation with public health authorities and emergency ambulance teams.

The Faculty of Medicine organized ultrasound and emergency response workshops, to support rapid decision-making in critical situations.

On-site clinical interventions have provided students with valuable internship opportunities in real-world, high-pressure medical environments.

Digital and logistical support

The registration and IT departments have developed and managed a real-time missing persons tracking and finding system, which enhances coordination and data accuracy.

The students of the Faculty of media conducted extensive documentation and live coverage, using digital platforms to communicate the spiritual, social and Human Dimensions of the event.

Capacity-building and awareness-raising

In partnership with the Ministry of youth and sports, UWA students led basic life support and first aid workshops, enabling volunteers and visitors with basic knowledge of Health and safety. These initiatives not only promoted public health awareness, but also fostered a culture of civic responsibility among students and the wider community.

Commitment to learning outside the classroom

Through this engagement, the University of West Asia emphasizes that education extends beyond academic boundaries — blending knowledge, compassion and action to achieve a tangible impact on society. This initiative is in line with the University's broader sustainability goals under Goal 3 (good health and wellbeing) and goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and communities), demonstrating how higher education can play an active role in addressing real-world social and humanitarian challenges.