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] |
| Students | 210,929 [2] |
| Undergraduates | 197,493 |
| Postgraduates | 13,436 |
| 1,211 | |
| Location | , |
| Campus | Urban |
| Colours | Raspberry [3] |
| Website | Official website |
| File:Damascus University Logo and headquarter.jpg | |
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
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
- 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 B.Sc program is a four-year 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 below specializations:
- Arts and Humanities
- Education
- Agriculture
- Islamic Jurisprudence
- Architecture
- Sciences
- Fine Arts
- Political Science
- Law
Higher institutes
- 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 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.
- 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
The Open Learning Centre offers degrees in three majors:
- Legal studies
- Computer and informatics
- Minor and intermediate projects
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:
- Al Assad University Hospital
- Al Mouwasat University Hospital
- Obstetrics & Gynecology University Hospital
- Cardiac Surgery University Hospital
- Dermatology & Venereal Diseases University Hospital
- Children's University Hospital
- Al Bairouni University Hospital
- Oral Maxillofacial Surgery Hospital
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.[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
- 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, Syrian 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, studied law before moving to Greece to continue his studies.
Gallery
-
Administration -
Faculty of Medicine -
Faculty of Pharmacy -
Faculty of Architecture -
Faculty of Economics -
Faculty of Civil Engineering
References
- ^ "President of Damascus University". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ [1] Archived 2014-07-14 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Ř´Řšř§Řą ال؟ř§Ů…Řšřš". Damascusuniversity.edu.sy. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ "جامعة دمشق". Mohe.gov.sy. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ Spender, Tom. "A new 'Mecca of Arabic studies'?". The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 31 March 2007.
- ^ "Historical Background". Damasuniv.edu.sy. Retrieved 25 August 2015.
- ^ 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 25 August 2015.
- ^ [2][dead link]
