The Board of Damascus University passed a resolution during its most recent meeting, which was held on February 17th, to create the Center for Studies and Training for the Partnership of the Public and Private Sectors. The establishment of this center comes as a part of the larger trend comprising greater private sector involvement in the development process, particularly with the establishment and construction of infrastructure projects that require substantial funding.
The resolution was based both on the premise that Damascus University is an institution primarily dedicated to building and developing capabilities, and in response to the recommendation of the Committee for Human Development in the Cabinet of the Prime Ministry. The purpose of the Center is to provide training to public and private entities alike in a number of topics relating to the partnership through the provision of high-level training that will be tailored to national needs.
he Center also aims to increase cooperation with Arab institutions and global organizations that have experience in advising on the most productive international practices for this type of partnership. It will also contribute to the preparation a range of studies (financial, technical and legal feasibility studies), so that the Center can play and advisory role in the future in addition to its role in professional training.
Damascus University has previously established educational and training programs in partnership with European universities in order to meet the demands of national development plans and the needs of the labor market. Some of these programs include the Masters of Urban Planning and Sustainable Development in partnership with University of Marne la Vallee in France, the Masters of Advanced Communications Engineering with the French Higher Institute of Communication, the Masters of Economic Transformation in the Arab Region in partnership with the University of Marburg in Germany as well as other programs of note. Damascus University has also established the Masters of Disaster Management in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Administration and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to assist in developing the national capacity in this important field. Additionally, the University has created the Center for Career Guidance in cooperation with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor and the UNDP. The Center aims to provide students and graduates additional skills required in the labor market as well as assistance in finding job opportunities through individual counseling or training workshops.
The proposed Center will consist of a director and board members made up of representatives from a number of public and private entities as well as university professors with varying specializations within the partnership. The Damascus University Council will later present the resolution to the Higher Education Council for approval and adoption.
