Under the patronage of the General Secretariat of the Holy Hussaini Shrine, and under the supervision of the President of Al-Zahraa University for Women, Prof. Dr. Zainab Al-Mulla Al-Sultani, and the administration of the Dean of the College of Engineering and Information Technology, Prof. Dr. Ghaydaa Abdul-Hussein, Baina Center for Intellectual and Cultural Security, in cooperation with Al-Zahraa University for Women, organized a specialized scientific workshop titled: “Urban Engineering and Visual Identity,” in an academic and cultural event that combined depth of thought with aesthetic presentation.

The workshop activities began with an official opening ceremony that included the ribbon-cutting, marking the launch of the event, followed by the opening of a book and art exhibition that reflected the richness of civilizational identity and its visual manifestations, with notable academic and cultural attendance, including a delegation from University of Technology - Iraq, as well as a number of faculty members, researchers, and students.

After the Dean welcomed the attendees, the session was opened by His Eminence Sheikh Ali Al-Qaraawi, Head of the Intellectual Affairs Department at the Holy Hussaini Shrine, who emphasized the importance of consolidating the concepts of civilizational identity within academic institutions and the necessity of investing them in scientific fields, particularly in engineering and architectural disciplines.

The workshop was presented by Dr. Wi’am Kareem Al-Mousawi, an archaeology researcher at the center, and Dr. Haider Naji, lecturer in the Department of Architecture Engineering. Al-Mousawi addressed the historical and intellectual dimensions of visual identity and its connection to the civilizational roots of societies, while Dr. Naji presented the theoretical foundations of urban engineering as a methodological framework that balances authenticity and modernity.

The workshop also included documentary video presentations showcasing applied models of visual identity in architecture, in addition to high-level contributions from attendees, which enriched the discussion and opened dialogue on mechanisms for integrating civilizational concepts into contemporary design.

This workshop represents the first theoretical stage, to be followed by a practical day dedicated to translating the presented concepts into design applications in the field of architectural engineering.

The event reflects the College of Engineering’s efforts to enhance academic awareness of civilizational concepts and support integration between theoretical and practical aspects, contributing to preparing qualified professionals capable of employing these concepts in engineering and architectural design fields.