Conflict resolution in post-conflict societies constitutes one of our world''s most pressing issues. Too frequently, peacebuilding gets imposed from the outside, disregarding the profound heterogeneity of local populations and their extensive expertise. This means that sometimes social cohesion does not develop; instead, it creates wounds and undermines morale. This underlines the importance of proper valuation of peacebuilding efforts. As a microcosm of society, the university context provides the opportunity to enable peacebuilding skills based on local knowledge. Thus, through a case study in the University of Duhok, this paper sheds light on two significant issues: first, the potential of university campuses to provide space and resources for development of conflict resolution strategies and, second, how innovative methods can improve students'' peacebuilding capacities.This paper focuses on the short- and long-term effects of a university-led peacebuilding initiative to enhance students'' capabilities in implementing projects related to social cohesion. The research utilised a mixed-methods approach, including pre- and post-assessments, focus groups, interviews, and observations, to evaluate knowledge, attitudes, behaviours, skills, and relationship changes.The findings show significant positive outcomes in all these areas, with participants reporting improved conflict resolution abilities, empathy, and interpersonal skills. While the project cultivated a strong sense of community, some challenges in maintaining long-term collaboration arose. Thus, the study highlights the need for continuous support to maximize project impact and to guide future peacebuilding efforts.The initial peacebuilding project was funded by the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) and took place in the Centre for Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies (CPCRS) of Duhok University. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of MCC and CPCRS.