Invitations to bid for the air-conditioning and power generation packages for the College of Fine Arts and College of Computer Engineering buildings are due to be issued imminently. Structural work on the fine arts college is complete, while about 60-70 per cent of the computer building is finished.

To be built in three phases, the first phase is expected to be completed by the end of the year and includes three colleges, utilities and sports facilities, dormitories and infrastructure. The estimated $258 million project will have a built-up area of 360,000 square metres.

The entire project will have 24 buildings, a range of sports facilities, roads, utilities, water and sewage treatment plants and landscaping.

Once complete, the university will cater to about 20,000 students. Ankara-based MET Design is the design consultant. The Sulaimani Governorate of the Kurdish Regional Government's Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research is the client.

The JV has also completed the masterplan for the construction of the American University of Iraq Sulaimaniyah (AUIS). In the same district as University of Sulaimaniyah, the AUIS has still to receive full funding: it will rely on donations, grants, loans and contributions, as well as income from trusts and foundations established for the project. The US government has committed $10 million, with the Kurdish Regional Government contributing $10 million. Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has also contributed $2 million towards the project. The client is the board of trustees of the AUIS.