The Department of Earth and petroleum sciences at the Faculty of Science – University of Mosul held a continuing education course entitled “Memory of the Earth in rocks: stratigraphy and fossils from reading the history of life to achieving sustainability”, during the period from Sunday, October 4 to Thursday, October 8, 2026, in the Hall of Professor Dr. Abdul Aziz Al-Hamdani, in the presence of the head of the department and a selection of professors, associates and students of the Department. The course was attended by Dr. Rana Abdul-Ilah Mahmoud al-Hayali, Dr. Ala Mahmoud Saeed Al-Wazzan, and teacher Luma Hazem Ahmed kharoufa, where the course dealt with the importance of rocks and geological strata as the “memory of the earth” that preserves the record of the history of life and environmental and climatic changes through geological eras, as well as the basics of stratigraphy and fossils and their role in determining the relative ages of rocks, reconstructing ancient environments, and tracking the evolution of living organisms. The course also addressed the importance of fossils as important scientific evidence in studying the history of life on Earth, understanding evolution, biodiversity and extinction, determining stratigraphic relationships and reconstructing ancient environments and climates, as well as their role in education, scientific research, environmental studies, natural resources and the preservation of geological heritage. The course touched on the relationship between Paleontology and sustainability concepts, by using the accumulated knowledge about the Earth and the environment to support scientific awareness, preserve biodiversity and natural heritage, and enhance understanding of environmental changes. The course also discussed the modern applications of fossils and stratigraphy in the study of climate change, understanding the history of ecosystems, assessing natural resources, linking geological knowledge with the concepts of sustainability and Environmental Protection, focusing on the transition from just reading the history of the earth to using this geological record to understand the challenges of the present and contribute to building a more sustainable future. We wish the teachers of our college continued success, success and brilliance.

Government information and Communication Division

Thursday, October 8, 2026