DAMASCUS, (SANA)- President Bashar al-Assad on Tuesday issued Decree No. 301 on establishing a number of faculties at the universities of Damascus, al-Baath, based in Homs, and al-Furat, based in Deir Ezzor.

The to-be-established faculties include:

The Fourth Faculty of Sciences at Damascus University, based in Sweida city.

The Fourth Faculty of Literature and Humanities at Damascus University, based in Quneitra city.

The Second Faculty of Agriculture at al-Baath University, based in al-Salamieh city in Hama province.

The Faculty of Architectural Engineering at al-Furat University, based in Deir Ezzor city.

The Faculty of Pharmacy at al-Furat University, based in Raqqa city.

The Faculty of Dentistry at al-Furat University, based in Hasaka city.

Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Abdul-Razzaq Sheikh Issa, said in a statement to SANA that the establishing of these faculties in a number of cities will contribute to increasing educational opportunities in terms of quality and quantity, especially in the Eastern Region.

The Minister made a particular reference to the Faculty of Agriculture at al-Baath University, due to open in al-Salamieh city, as it will include the specialization of nature reserves and pastures, which is unavailable at any of the other universities.

He also said that the faculties of Sciences and Literature and Humanities due to be opened in Sweida and Quneitra will help raise the number of faculties in the Southern Region and allow the opportunity for the students to continue their education and studies among their families and spare them the costs and burdens of travel.

H. Said