Basima Abdulrahman (born 1986/1987) is a Kurdish Iraqi structural engineer and the founder of KESK (meaning Green in Kurdish), an Iraqi company specialized in eco-friendly architecture.[1]

Early life and education

Abdulrahman's parents moved to Baghdad, Iraq from southern Turkey; she was born in Iraq, and has both Turkish and Kurdish heritage.[2] In 2006, the Iraqi conflict drove her family to relocate to the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq.[2] As a result, Abdulrahman learned more about and became closer to her Kurdish heritage.[2]

As a child, Abdulrahman's family encouraged her to become a doctor, but she disliked biology, instead preferring math and physics.[2]

In 2011, Abdulrahman applied for a Fulbright Scholarship to study in the United States.[2] Abdulrahman attended Auburn University in the United States, where she earned a master's degree in structural and civil engineering, graduating in 2014.[1][2][3] She returned to the United States in 2016, where she completed a program by the US Green Building Council to become an accredited professional.[4]

Career

When she returned to Iraq in 2015,[4] Abdulrahman initially worked as a structural engineer for the United Nations.[5]

In 2017, Abdulrahman founded KESK Green Building Consulting, the first Iraqi company to focus on "green" architecture.[2][3] It took Abdulrahman nine months before she was able to find her first client.[5] KESK combines modern environmentally-friendly building techniques with ancient techniques, such as building dome-shaped homes from clay bricks.[3] The company also seeks to provide alternative energy sources to communities, particularly solar energy, in response to Iraq's unstable power grid.[5][6] The company was also founded in part to assist with reconstruction following the war against the Islamic State, which began in 2014.[1][3]

Abdulrahman also works for the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization as a national consultant and project manager, and as vice curator for the Global Shapers Erbil Hub, an initiative of the World Economic Forum.[2]

Recognition

In 2021, Abdulrahman was one of eight entrepreneurs who won the Cartier Women's Initiative Award, with Abdulrahman representing the "Middle East & North Africa" category.[7] She received $100,000 in prize money.[7]

In November 2023, Abdulrahman was named to the BBC's 100 Women list.[1]

Personal life

As of 2019, Abdulrahman is based in Erbil.[3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "BBC 100 Women 2023: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. November 21, 2023. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nelson, Carol (2018-05-18). "It's my job: Basima Abdulrahman". Auburn Engineer. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Collard, Rebecca (2019-01-16). "Eight Young Leaders Share Their Visions for Shaping the Decade Ahead". TIME.com. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  4. 1 2 "Interview with Basima Abdulrahman". KAPITA. 2022-06-19. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  5. 1 2 3 Thomson Reuters Foundation (2023-07-27). "Meet the Women Pioneers Creating Green Jobs in Arab Countries". japannews.yomiuri.co.jp. Retrieved 2023-11-22. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ Ifteqar, Naheed (2021-05-27). "This Iraqi Entrepreneur is One of the Eight Laureates of the Cartier Women's Initiative". Vogue Arabia. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
  7. 1 2 DeMarco, Anthony. "The Cartier Women's Initiative Awards $100,000 To 8 Women Entrepreneurs". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-11-22.
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