Damascus, SANA- Driven by a dictionary of quality, professionalism, and future-building, the Syrian Academy for Training and Consulting opened its doors in Damascus following the liberation, continuing its training mission that began in Idlib in 2021. The Academy focuses on qualifying specialized professional and scientific cadres across various fields.
Since its inception, the Academy has aimed to make its mark in vocational training, relying on qualified and specialized training staff in media, filmmaking, management, technology, computer science, research and statistics, and languages. It offers high-quality, competitive training at an Arab level, encompassing both qualification for new trainees and professional development for those currently employed, in addition to consulting services.
The First Training Center in Liberated Areas
Mr. Obada al-Mikdad, Director of Public Relations at the Academy, explained to SANA’s reporter that the Academy was previously based at the College of Political Science and Media at Idlib University, with an additional branch in Sarmada. It has been committed to providing the best training services through well-designed plans to elevate and develop society. Furthermore, it offers top-tier consulting services to build individuals and institutions by defining strategic objectives, measuring results and interim achievements, and conducting economic feasibility studies, all within a sophisticated technological system that keeps pace with modern times.
Al-Mikdad stated that the Academy has signed memoranda of understanding to provide employment opportunities for trainees after they are qualified for the job market. It actively builds bridges of cooperation with public and private institutions to supply them with trained cadres who can help resolve administrative and media issues within those organizations.
Al-Mikdad also highlighted the Academy’s commitment to ensuring its certificates are highly reliable, upholding scientific and professional integrity. Trainees only receive certification after successfully passing a distinguished standardized theoretical and practical examination, which emphasizes the quality of methods and the scientific rigor of its curricula.
Moving to Damascus to Contribute to Building an Ambitious Nation with Transparent Media
Al-Mikdad clarified that after the liberation and the fall of the deposed regime, the Academy opened a headquarters in Damascus. Affiliated with it are the Technical Institute for Printing and Publishing and the Media Preparation Institute, both under the Ministry of Information.
He noted that the Academy has begun developing the Ministry’s cadres, and from there, will extend its efforts to all ministries whose specialties intersect with its own.
He mentioned that as part of its endeavor to elevate Syrian media to regional and international competitive forums, the Academy is preparing to open several branches in various governorates. It also seeks to network with all prominent academic figures who contribute to the media movement by transferring their successful experiences to new generations, especially as the current phase demands intensified efforts to present and address reality transparently, thereby contributing to the nation’s development and advancement.
Building Specialized Syrian Economic Journalism Cadres
Given the importance of empowering journalists working in the economic field, the Academy’s most recent course was “Introduction to Economic Journalism,” organized in cooperation with Accuracy Press Institute in the United States and supported by several entities, notably: the Ministry of Finance, the Central Bank of Syria (CBS), the Damascus Securities Exchange, the Syrian Commission on Financial Markets and Securities, and the Syrian Union of Insurance Companies.
Dr. Kamal al-Sheikh Ali, an economic media trainer, explained that the course’s objective was to connect journalists with sources of economic information.
He pointed out that the course’s theoretical aspect comprised 30%, while the practical component accounted for 70%, allowing for a detailed understanding of the professional field.
Al-Sheikh Ali emphasized the importance of continuous training for journalists as added value, enabling them to engage in analytical thinking and thus link reality with journalistic topics, gaining close insight into their details and issues.
Ruaa al-Jazaeri
