Under the patronage of Mrs. Asma al-Assad, 33 students graduated from the academic programs for creativity and distinction Board

Damascus, SANA- Under the patronage and attendance of Mrs. Asma al-Assad, 33 students from the Academic Programs for creativity and distinction Board  were graduated during g a ceremony held at Damascus University auditorium on Wednesday.

25 students graduated from the vital medical science program, while the other 8 students graduated from laser science and technology Program.

Delivering a speech at the graduation ceremony, Chairman of Creativity and Distinction Board , Emad al-Azb said that the board has become an incubator that helps manage intellectual capital and push forward a pioneering national project so that to ensure moving forward in firm steps and build a scientific elite that contribute to further develop society.

“Today, we approach a new stage on the creativity and distinction path which has been closely followed by Mrs. Asma al-Assad with a strategic vision that took from the National Center for Distinguished Students a starting point. The aim was to spread knowledge and scientific and intellectual distinction, in cooperation with the educational system including universities, research centers, institutes, schools and other educational institutions.” Al-Azab said.

Damascus University Representative and former Higher Education Minister, Mohammed Amer Mardini, underlined the key role of the project of academic programs for distinguished students and its outcomes in achieving modern scientific development in Syria despite current circumstances and the ferocious war waged on the country, extending heartfelt greetings to the teaching staff, professors and trainers for their efforts.

The first graduate of laser science and technology program Khaldoun Nassr and the first graduate of the vital medical science program Catrina Hejje said that it wasn’t an easy mission, adding that they succeeded to take the lead despite all challenges and difficulties.

They underlined the team spirit which motivated them to go ahead with their ambitions and the applied projects and research session which contribute to enriching their knowledge and expertise.

In a statement to national media at the end of the graduation ceremony, Mrs. al-Assad said her interest in excellent and distinguished students is part of her interest in the whole education process, stressing that it is these students who will work on developing the homeland and who are able to innovate and create to find solutions to the problems of the society.

She indicated that the project of supporting excellent and distinguished students was clear from the beginning, and its main features were defined as it was designed to continue and go on despite of the difficult circumstances.

In her comments, Mrs. al-Assad noted that the project started with the official visit paid to Russia in 2005 where one of the visit’s goals was to get acquainted with the Russian experience and project of supporting distinguished students, noting that the Russian friends have supported the Syrian side through sending experts and helping in developing the standards and principles and training the Syrian cadres.

She went on saying that the scholarships provided to the students to continue their studies in Russia are part of the standing cooperation between Moscow and Damascus.

Last March, President Bashar al-Assad issued law no. 11 for 2016 establishing a scientific commission for supporting creative individuals named the Distinction and Creativity Board with its headquarters in Damascus. The Board enjoys financial and administrative independence.

R.Raslan/Mazen