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).
Type Public
Established 1923
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. There are nine public universities and more than ten private ones in Syria. Damascus University and the entire education system in Syria was degraded dramatically during former President Hafez al-Assad and then Bashar al-Assad reign. It used to be a leading university in the Arab World, but currently its world ranking is 4404 and its Arab World ranking is 114, according to the "Webometrics Ranking of World Universities".

The University of Damascus consists of several faculties, higher Institutes, intermediate institutes and a school of nursing. One of the institutions specializes 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, is 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 the founding of new faculties.[6]

Structure

Faculties

Damascus University headquarter in Baramkeh

Higher institutes

The Arabic Language Institute at the University of Damascus is 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 an advantage to either Egypt or Jordan where much instruction is conducted in the local dialect.

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 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

The university runs eight 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 the university just like the fruit. The color is adopted for the signature of the president of Damascus University, a property not shared with any president of any university in 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 the Quran: "say oh my Lord, provide me with knowledge", which is the motto of Damascus University and its non-stop seeking.[10]

Notable alumni

Gallery

References

  1. ↑ "President of Damascus University". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  2. ↑ "جامعة دمشق". Mohe.gov.sy. 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  3. ↑ Archived 14 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "Ř´Řšř§Řą ال؟ř§Ů…Řšřš". Damascusuniversity.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  5. ↑ Spender, Tom. "A new 'Mecca of Arabic studies'?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
  6. ↑ "Historical Background". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  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. ↑ "The logo of Damascus University". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
  11. ↑

External links

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

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