Zhigger Abozaid

Hello, my name is Zhigger. I am a young professional, mentor, consultant, and activist with over 7 years of experience in various fields of Academics, Education, Advocacy, Marketing and Communication, Humanitarian Organization, Youth Empowerment and Leadership, Community Development, and Entrepreneurship. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from the University of Duhok and a Diploma in English Language Studies from the Headway International Educational Institute.

I am now working on my newly founded venture – Open Space Academy. I am also the founder of several initiatives, such as Sweden Alumni Network Iraq, Club Alpbach Iraq, and International Veterinary Students’ Association (IVSA) Duhok. In the past, I have served as a digital facilitator in the Experiment Digital Youth Leadership Community Program by World Learning in 2023, 2024, and now as Community Engagement Facilitator. I have also been one of the mentors in the Takween Accelerator Program in 2023. Secretariat of the Peace and Reconciliation Working Group (PRWG) in Nineveh between 2022 and 2023. Participant of the Swedish Institute Leader Lab in 2021 and then the Advocacy Lab in 2022. In 2021, I served as a mentor in the Iraqi Young Leaders Exchange Program (IYLEP), where I promoted mutual understanding among high school students.

I am passionate about education innovation, especially regarding the digital divide. By providing resources and better access to technology, my work focuses on implementing strategies to improve education for disadvantaged communities in Iraq. I believe a sustainable future can only be achieved by an inclusive and equitable learning environment, where educational thriving is not tied to student’s socioeconomic background.

The mentorship process as a whole is a learning journey, and I believe that when I mentor someone or some teams, I am not just sharing my experiences but also gaining lots of fresh knowledge through the exchange between my mentees.