Damascus University
| جامعة دمشق | |
Damascus University emblem
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Former names
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Syrian University |
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| Motto | "وَقُل رَّبِّ زِدْنِي عِلْمًا" |
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Motto in English
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And say: My Lord, increase me in knowledge (Quran, 20:114). |
| Established | 1923 |
| Type | Public |
| President | Mohammad Hassan Al Kurdi [1] |
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Administrative staff
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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. 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. 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]
Contents
History[edit]
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. 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[edit]
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.
Structure[edit]
Faculties[edit]
- Medicine
- Dentistry
- Information Technology
- Civil Engineering
- Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
- Economics: The Faculty of Economics offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and PhD degrees in Economics in one of the following specializations: Banking and Insurance, Business Administration, Statistics, Accounting, and Economics, The BSc program is a 4 years program covering 12 courses per year, which brings the total to 48 courses in the four years, the first two years' supply students with foundation courses in microeconomics, macroeconomics, principles of management, accounting, mathematics, statistics and other courses. After finishing the first two years, student choose one of the above specializations.
- Arts and Humanities
- Education
- Agriculture
- Islamic Jurisprudence
- Architecture
- Sciences
- Fine Arts
- Political Science
- Law
Higher institutes[edit]
- Higher Institute of Laser Research and Applications
- Higher Institute of Administrative Development
- Higher Institute of Seismologic Studies and Research
- Higher Institute of Languages
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.
Technical institutes[edit]
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.
- Technical Institute of Medicine
- Technical Institute of Dentistry
- Technical Institute of Engineering
- Technical Institute of Mechanical Engineering and electricity
- Technical Institute of Computer Science
- Technical Institute of Agricultural studies
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[edit]
The "Open Learning Centre" currently offers degrees in three majors:
- Legal studies
- Computer and informatics
- Minor and intermediate projects
Library[edit]
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[edit]
Currently, the university runs 8 hospitals in the city of Damascus:
- Al Assad University Hospital
- Al Mouwasat University Hospital
- Obstetrics & Gynecology University Hospital
- Cardiac Surgery University Hospital
- Dermatology & Venereal Diseases University Hospital
- Pediatrics University Hospital
- Al Bairouni University Hospital
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Hospital
Logo[edit]
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. 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.[citation needed]
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[edit]
- Giles Clarke – chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board[11]
- Colette Khoury – Syrian novelist
- Dina Katabi – Syrian Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at MIT and the director of the MIT Wireless Center
- Sa'id al-Afghani – former student, then professor and dean of the faculty of arts
- Abdelsalam al-Majali – Former Prime Minister of Jordan
- Assef Shawqat – head of Syrian intelligence services
- Riad Ismat – Syrian diplomat, writer and theatrical director
- George Percy, Earl Percy
- Gerhard Schröder – former chancellor of Federal Republic of Germany, Awarded an Honorary Doctorate
- Nizar Qabbani – Syrian Poet, Author and Diplomat, Awarded a B.A. in Law
- Abbas al-Noury – Syrian Actor, Author, Director and TV Presenter, Awarded a B.A. in History
- Duraid Lahham – Syrian Actor, Author, Director and TV Presenter, Awarded a B.Sc. in Chemistry and Physics
- Farouk al-Sharaa – Syrian Politician and Diplomat, Currently Syria's Vice President, Awarded a B.A. in English Literature
- Aref Dalila – Syrian Economist and Politician, Awarded a B.Sc. in Economics
- Ali Farzat – Syrian Caricaturist and Painter – Awarded a B.A. in Fine Arts
- Jamal Suliman – Syrian Actor and Theater Teacher – Awarded a B.A. in Theatrical Studies and Acting
- Taim Hasan – Syrian Actor – Awarded a B.A. in Theatrical Studies and Acting
- Rachid Ghannouchi - Leader of Tunisia's Nahda Movement, awarded a B.A. in Philosophy in 1968
- Ibrahim Mughrabi - Football striker. He studied Law before moving to Greece to continue his studies.
Gallery[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "President of Damascus University". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
- ^ "جامعة دمشق". Mohe.gov.sy. 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
- ^ [1][dead link]
- ^ "Ř´Řšř§Řą ال؟ř§Ů…Řšřš". Damascusuniversity.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
- ^ Spender, Tom. "A new 'Mecca of Arabic studies'?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
- ^ "Historical Background". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Basima Bezirgan (1994), "Near East since 1920", Encyclopedia of Library History, New York: Garland Pub., ISBN 0824057872, 0824057872
- ^ World Guide to Libraries (25th ed.), De Gruyter Saur, 2011
- ^ "The logo of Damascus University". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 2015-08-25.
- ^ [2][dead link]
External links[edit]
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Coordinates: 33°30′41″N 36°17′29″E / 33.51139°N 36.29139°E