Damascus University

Damascus University
جامعة دمشق

Damascus University Emblem
Former names
 Syrian University
Motto "وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا"
Motto in English
 And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge (Quran, 20:114).
Established 1923
Type Public
President Mohammad Hassan Al Kurdi [1]
Administrative staff
 2,653 [2]
Students 210,929 [3]
Undergraduates 197,493
Postgraduates 13,436
1,211
Location Damascus, Syria
Campus Urban
Colours      Raspberry [4]
Website Official website

The University of Damascus (Arabic: جامعة دمشق‎, Jāmi‘atu Dimashq) is the largest and oldest university in Syria, located in the capital Damascus and has campuses in other Syrian cities. It was founded in 1923 through the merger of the School of Medicine (established 1903) and the Institute of Law (established 1913). Until 1958 it was named the Syrian University, but the name changed after the founding of the University of Aleppo. Currently, there are 9 public universities and more than 10 private ones in Syria.

The University of Damascus consists of several faculties, Higher Institutes, intermediate institutes and a School of Nursing. There is an institution specialized in teaching the Arabic language to foreigners, which is the largest institution of its kind in the Arab world.[5]

History

La Caserne Hamidieh - Previous headquarter of the Syrian University, currently it's the Faculty of Law building

Damascus University is the oldest Higher Education institution in Syria, and is considered the mother university of Syria's universities. It has its origin in the medical Institute (founded in 1901) named the "Syrian University" in 1923. The present title was adopted in 1953 after founding of new faculties. The further development of Damascus University was given the highest priority. This fact made it the leading university in Syria. At present, Damascus University, as is the case with the other Syrian Universities, is going through crucial development at all levels. This is being done to improve its position on the level of research and scientific development, so that it can play a key role in backing up the process of building and modernization led by President Bashar Al-Assad. Damascus University is a pioneer of publication and instruction in Arabic, emphasizing the importance of mastering the sciences, and also linking between the past, the present, and the envisioned future of Syria.[6]

Strategic plan

The website of School gives the Strategic Plan:

The strategic plan of Damascus University is the product of the comprehensive self-evaluation begun in 2006 and the extensive consultation with key representatives of faculties and administrative departments and directorates in the University. The primary purpose of the plan is to improve the quality of the full range of University activities. A secondary purpose is to provide clarity and focus for all staff members and employees of the University to share the mission, vision and priorities for improvement. The plan incorporates the mission statement into a set of objectives, each detailed into a number of measures, a time-table for implementation spanning from the 4th quarter of 2007 till the 4th quarter of 2010, and assigned responsibilities. The strategic plan also identifies key areas for early consideration in the University, adopts a phased approach moving in stages to more advanced and challenging objectives and locates potential financial resources and technical support required to achieve its objectives. In principle, the plan provides a flexible framework that enables all University faculties and departments to formulate their own operational plans, and estimate necessary human and material resources. The strategic plan was formally adopted by the University Council in October 2007. The University is already beginning to implement some of its elements. The plan is presented in the following pages in a tabular form headed by each of its twelve strategic objectives.

The full PDF of Strategic Plan with Objectives and Solutions.

Structure

Faculties

Damascus University headquarter in Baramkeh

Higher institutes

The Arabic Language Institute at the University of Damascus is regularly recognized as the best center to study Arabic for non-native speakers in the world. The Center for Arabic Study abroad, the premier U.S. organization for Arabic study, is now opening a second branch at the University. The Arabic Language Institute at the University of Damascus is known for immersion instruction in Arabic, allowing more rapid, natural and comprehensive language acquisition. The Arabic Language Institute’s faculty is committed to classical Arabic instruction, offering a comparative advantage to either Egypt or Jordan where much instruction is conducted in the local dialect. See official web Site of Damascus University

Technical Institutes

The duration of the study is two years, when they graduate students receive a Diploma from the Institute itself according to the jurisdiction of their choice.

, And where the following disciplines: Business Administration – Marketing – Public Relations

known as the (Commercial institute), offers Associate degrees in the following disciplines: Accounting – financial markets – banking studies, The best students are offered the opportunity to continue their education at the Faculty of Economics.

On 13 November 2012, the President Bashar al-Assad issued a decree on establishing a branch for Damascus University in Quneitra, a city in the Syrian Heights.[7]

Open Learning

The "Open Learning Centre" currently offers degrees in three majors:

Library

The University of Damascus Library began in 1903 (with the establishment of the Medical Bureau).[8] As of 2011 it contains some 169,000 volumes and 3,830 current periodicals.[9]

University Hospitals

Currently, the university runs 8 hospitals in the city of Damascus:

Logo

The emblem of Damascus University reflects the importance of science and endless desire of human for knowledge, as well as the privacy of Damascus in development of science and scientists.

The color of raspberry stands for the damascene raspberry which is a fruit found only in Damascus, expressing the uniqueness of this university just like this fruit.

It is worth mentioning that this color is adopted for the signature of the president of Damascus University, a property not shared with any other president of any university all over the world.

The lamb is the symbol of knowledge in different cultures, it radiates the light of knowledge and science, crowned with a verse from holy Quran: "say oh my Lord, provide me with knowledge", which is the real message of Damascus University and its non-stop seeking.[10]

Notable alumni

Zyad kafri hematology oncology at st.John hospital medical center Detroit Michigan

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ Damascus University President
  2. ↑ http://www.mohe.gov.sy/mohe/index.php?node=5512&cat=2382&
  3. ↑ وزارة التعليم العالي، مؤشرات وإحصائيات عن التعليم العالي، إحصاء العام 2011-2012
  4. ↑ http://www.damascusuniversity.edu.sy/ce/ird/logo Damascus University logo
  5. ↑ Spender, Tom. "A new 'Mecca of Arabic studies'?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  6. ↑ http://damasuniv.edu.sy/english/component/content/article/68-sp/1309-historical-background Damascus University Historical Background
  7. ↑ Nassr, M.; Ghossoun (13 November 2012). "President Bashar al-Assad Decrees on Establishing Branch for Damascus University in Quneitra". Syrian Arab News Agency. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  8. ↑ Basima Bezirgan (1994), "Near East since 1920", Encyclopedia of Library History, New York: Garland Pub., ISBN 0824057872, 0824057872
  9. ↑ World Guide to Libraries (25th ed.), De Gruyter Saur, 2011
  10. ↑ http://damasuniv.edu.sy/english/about-university/the-logo-of-damascus-university Damascus University logo
  11. ↑ Entrepreneurs Question Time SetSquared – 4 October 2007

External links

Coordinates: 33°30′41″N 36°17′29″E / 33.51139°N 36.29139°E