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