In May 2019, Dr. Venus Suleiman Akef received her Ph.D. in Architecture, School of Architecture and Interior Design, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), the University Of Cincinnati, Ohio, USA.

In May, 2018 she also received a Graduate Certificate in Historic Preservation, School of Architecture and Interior Design, DAAP, the University of Cincinnati, OH., USA.

Dr. Venus obtained a Certificate of Award and Participation in Many Languages, One World Essay Contest for attending the Global Youth Forum at Hofstra University, July 2016. The Certificate was awarded by the ELS Educational Services, Inc., and the United Nations Academic Impact.

In April 2016, Dr. Venus Suleiman Akef completed the Major Comprehensive Exam specializingin Contemporary Architecture (Theory and History) from the School of Architecture and Interior Design SAID, College of Design, Architecture, Art and Planning DAAP, University of Cincinnati.

After completing the Masters level in December 2013, Dr. Venus graduated from the English for Academic Purpose Intensive Program, offered by ELS Language Centers, Cincinnati, OH, USA.

In October 2002, Dr. Venus received her Master of Science in Architecture, Department of Architecture, The University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

In October 1998, she obtained her B. Sc. In Architecture from the Department of Architectural engineering, The University of Technology, Baghdad, Iraq.

Interdisciplinary Studies, Architecture and Theories of Peace, Cultural and Architectural Preservation, Preservation and Peacebuilding, , Sustainable Architecture, Philosophy and Theories of Architecture, Design Strategies and Design Decision Making, History of Architecture, Sociopolitical Contexts of architecture and urban structures, the colonial and post-colonial architecture in Baghdad, nationalism of modern architecture in Baghdad, and DOCOMOMO.

The general field of research is Philosophy and Theories of Architecture and Urban Design, particularly Design Strategies and Design Decision Making.

The focus is on sustainable architecture through interdisciplinary studies. Particularly, studying and rereading architecture through peace studies and theories of peacebuilding. Her goal is to activate the role of architects and architecture for positive peace within conflict and post-war context. Another goal is to actively engage the role of architects in the UN 2030 agenda for sustainable development. This culminated in theorizing a new approach in architecture; that is Architecture for Positive Peace (her PhD dissertation) which she presented at the General Assembly of the United Nations in NY, in 2016.

Dr. Venus S. Akef is currently involved in studying Cultural and Architectural Preservation in Iraq. Within this area of research, related to her Ph.D. dissertation, and reflecting on the issue of targeting architectural heritage during warfare in Iraq, Dr. Venus S. Akef is currently focusing on studying Preservation for Positive Peace.

In addition, Dr. Venus also is working on the architectural heritage of the modern movement in Baghdad for being a very rich area of research in Baghdad that needs huge efforts.

Dr. Venus S. Akef is also an architectural historian specializing in 20th century architectures of the Baghdad. Her research scope also includes studying the identity and the socio-political context of local and traditional architecture of Baghdad, the colonial and post-colonial architecture in Baghdad, and nationalism of modern architecture in Baghdad.

In 2003, Dr. Venus S. Akef started her academic career as a faculty member at the Dept. of Architectural Engineering, the University of Technology in Baghdad. With more than seventeen years of academic experience, she has been involved in teaching theories and history of architecture in addition to design studios in various capacities at the University of Technology in Baghdad. In addition, Dr. Venus has been involved in projects reviews at different stages during her studies at the School of Architecture and Interior Design, the University of Cincinnati, OH., USA.

Her teaching philosophy is to engage theory with practice, and to revive the cultural and architectural heritage in contemporary architecture. Dr. Venus is currently leading a new design approach in which architecture is designed to be an active platform for sustainable peace. She also focuses on enhancing the student’ capacity in design decision making and concept-building.

• - 2020 - 2021 Dr. Venus Suleiman Akef is the winner of Weinberg Fellowship in architectural history and preservation, from The Italian Academy, Columbia University, NY, USA, 2020-2021. clike here clike here clike here
• July, 2016, Dr. Venus had the honor to be the first Iraqi architect and scholar to speak at the General Assembly of the United Nations, and introduce the concept of her PhD dissertation, Architecture for Positive Peace as an action plan in response to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially goal #11: Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. clike here
• Dr. Venus is the winner of Many Languages, One World International contest (MLOW), organized by ELS Educational Services, Inc., and the United Nations Academic Impact (UNAI), June, 2016.
• Dr. Venus Suleiman Akef is also the first winner of the Tamayouz, Excellence Award in Architecture, for the rising star category, of women in architecture and construction, announced in November, 2014, by Angela Brady; the past president of RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects). click here
• In January, 2010, Dr. Venus was awarded with both the badge and the shield of the University of Technology (The Highest honor in the University of Technology, is obtained only with outstanding achievements).
• Dr. Venus is officially registered on the list of creative and talented faculties by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research since May 2010.
• In December 2009, Dr.Venus Suleiman Akef was the first woman architect winner of The Architect Award of the Arab World; a competition organized by The Council of Arab Ministers of Housing and Construction and the Arab League.
• August 2014, the 1st place winner of the national competition to design Schools Complex in DhiQar Governorate, southern Iraq.
• May 2014, the 1st place winner of the national competition to design a Cultural Center in Dhi Qar Governorate, southern Iraq.
• February 2014, the 1st place winner of the national competition to design a Cultural Center in al- Kut City, southern Iraq.
• November 2013, the 1st place winner of the national competition to design a family Mentoring Center, a school and kindergarten in Babylon (under construction).