Mosul Space is a technology and innovation hub based in Mosul, Iraq.
Salih founded Mosul Space in 2014 as a makerspace for students to share practical knowledge after he noticed a gap between what engineering students were learning in university and the actual needs of the job market. Not long after, Mosul was occupied by ISIS, and Mosul Space filled a critical void in engineering education and knowledge-sharing while traditional university education stopped due to the occupation.
Salih received a scholarship from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs to attend the Summit in Manchester. The experience helped him feel less alone in his work in Iraq, where opportunities to travel and obtain visas are often limited.
Since then, Mosul Space has hosted tech and business workshops, supported start-ups, and contributed to humanitarian work by repairing damaged medical devices. The organisation provided 5,000 people with business and technology training, supported 1,000 people with securing jobs in the private sector, and helped 200 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enter the market. It also continues to provide a physical space for young people and entrepreneurs, with internet access, networking, coaching, and coffee. Salih recently handed the space over to a new generation of leaders, believing that sustainable human resources are essential in post-conflict recovery.
