A PhD Dissertation at the College of Education for Humanities Examines “Environmental Risk Assessment in Baiji District”

A PhD dissertation was discussed at the College of Education for Humanities, Department of Geography, on Wednesday, 25/2/2026, entitled “Environmental Risk Assessment in Baiji District.” The dissertation was submitted by the candidate, Natheer Ahmed Ali Al-Obaidi.

The present dissertation aims to emphasize the importance of geography and its role in planning and forecasting at various spatial levels in order to improve, protect, and properly manage the environment, thereby safeguarding the environment, humans, and society. This is considered an integral part of sound scientific geographic planning, in cooperation with other disciplines, as addressing contemporary environmental problems and confronting future environmental risks cannot be achieved within the framework of a single field of study.

The study also seeks to provide a comprehensive assessment of environmental risks in the study area, which suffers from severe environmental degradation resulting from the interaction of natural and human factors. The area is subject to dual pressures represented by drought and desertification in their various manifestations.

The study reached several findings, including:

1. The successful use of modern geographic techniques, which provide a vast amount of accurate information.
2. A strong relationship between the expansion of environmental risks, desertification hazards, and dry climatic conditions.
3. Significant soil degradation within the study area.
4. Human factors play the major role in exacerbating environmental risks.
5. Serious pollution risks affecting the waters of the Tigris River.

The examination committee consisted of the following faculty members:

1. Professor Daley Khalaf Hamid – Tikrit University / College of Education for Humanities – Chair
2. Assistant Professor Mohammed Najm Khalaf – Tikrit University / College of Arts – Member
3. Assistant Professor Ameer Mohammed Khalaf – University of Anbar / College of Education for Humanities – Member
4. Assistant Professor Mohammed Khalil Mohammed – Tikrit University / College of Education for Humanities – Member
5. Assistant Professor Raed Abdulhaleem Abdulqader – Tikrit University / College of Education for Humanities – Member
6. Professor Ali Mukhlef Saba – Tikrit University / College of Education for Humanities – Member and Supervisor

Media and Government Communication Division
College of Education for Humanities
Tikrit University