Culture Minister: Universities Interested in Developing Science to Solve Society Problems

DAMASCUS, (ST)_ Under the patronage of Dr. Lubana Mushaoh, minister of Culture, The director General of Antiquities and Museums, Dr. Maumoon Abdul Karim, and Damascus University, faculty of Architecture, signed two cooperation agreements, at the Damascus Hall in the National Museum, on Monday 26/11/2012.

The agreements provide for Exploration programs, scientific research and survey work, documentation ,restoration and rehabilitation of archaeological sites, assess their functions, tourist and cultural rights, exchange of information, documents, holding exhibitions and seminars.

“Talal Moualla”, the executive director of supporting and developing units in Syria’s Museums and cultural Heritage sites, hoped that these agreements would  be truly put into effect, because most of the pre-agreements were still in the drawers of many institutions, as for the agreement he stressed that  the relation between the Directorate General of Antiquities and Museum, and Damascus University is based on mutual trust, that everyone knows his duty and purpose, to reach remarkable results.”

“This strategic partnership is to exchange experience and skills, in a bid to generate the tools of progress and civilization,” he affirmed.

“ Dr. Mohamed Amer Mardini” head of University  of Damascus ,said: the scientific researches and serving society are our goals in Damascus university, and that this agreement aims for  joint activities, including the quest to do researches projects, the exchange of information and experiences, and he hoped the best for all the students to be pioneers in all fields.”

For his part“ Dr. Maumoon Abdul Karim “ the director general of Antiquities and Museums, praised the Minister of Culture, for her support and pursue for all the agreements and activities, for the benefit of our country, then he spoke about the agreements, that they are real partnership to unite the efforts and experience to develop cultural sector, which is the axis of development and the useful tool to improve our life”.

“We launched these agreements, in a critical time, as to raise the awareness of the local people through the students of universities up  to the great value of their national heritage, to encourage them to take part in all its constituents, and that all the institutions must work hand in hand to protect our country, and our precious heritage,” he added.

At the end of the ceremony , the Master degree students, in Damascus University, Faculty of Architecture, presented a project about “how to protect the heritage in Khan As’ad Basha in Damascus from damp” because the damp is leaking through its walls and ceiling.

In an exclusive interview with Syria Times reporter, Bouthaian al-Nounou, the Minister of Culture Dr. Lubana Mushweh, who participated in the celebration, commented on these agreements as saying:

“The university has a big role as regards the progress and prosperity of any society, universities today are no longer  interested in developing science for science, but developing science to solve the problems of society, and contribute to promote and develop, universities work now on preparing individual to the world of today and tomorrow, because the world we live in, is in a rapid change, in this way an individual can live in a balanced life, this would not happen if we haven’t coordination or cooperation with institutes and organizations,” she asserts.

”This cooperation will give assistance to research centers in Syria, Syria is rich creativity of her sons, and to exchange experiences and information. As we have seen now in the project of the students, the issue of cooperation will help in protecting Khan As’ad Basha from damp, by presenting the problem and its solution .” added minister Mushweh.

The graduates who are experienced, seem to have an advantage, these  co-op agreements gave students an extra merit  academically and professionally. This solidarity between the university, and directorate general of antiquities and museums, will help us also, to overcome the problems and difficulties that our historical sites are going through,” she added.

I wish, all the projects of graduation in all universities  will be for the benefit of our society, and to give the students practical and real problems to solve.

“And I wish, many cooperation agreements would take place among our institutions, universities, organizations, and even factories, this will help our students in scientific researches, and to find jobs after graduation.” Dr.  Mushweh concluded.

Bouthaian al-Nounou

bossynounou@yahoo.com