Damascus, SANA-In a first-of-its-kind move in Syria, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Marwan al-Halabi, and Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, Hind Kabawat, inaugurated the Digital Innovation Center (DIGIT) in the Kafr Sousa area of Damascus.
This step comes in response to the growing need for digital transformation in Syria.
The center, implemented by the UN Development Program (UNDP) with funding from the Japanese government, aims to empower youth in the field of tech entrepreneurship, promote digital innovation in Syria, support startups with effective digital solutions, and enhance employment opportunities through advanced digital laboratories, vocational training programs, and market-oriented business development services.
The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research said that the ministry is working to empower universities and accelerate digital transformation through several initiatives, most notably the DIGIT initiative.
Minister al-Halabi added that these efforts aim to enhance the center’s capabilities, empowering Syrian youth to lead the digital transformation process, artificial intelligence, and support entrepreneurial projects and open innovation, especially in light of the challenges facing Syria.
He pointed out that higher education is not only a provider of knowledge, but also an incubator for digital transformation and a driver for achieving sustainable development goals. Its success requires integration between government policies, the private sector, and individuals to build an integrated digital society.
Al-Halabi thanked all parties that participated in praising this great cultural edifice.
For her part, Minister Kabawat said that the center was completed in four months and constitutes a platform for young men and women and employers, a means of achieving comprehensive development, and a great opportunity for Syria to overcome many of the challenges associated with the traditional structure.
Kabawat added that the ministry manages youth empowerment centers spread across Syrian governorates with support from the UNDP, and is working to create an integrated system to discover the talents that Syria possesses to build our institutions and our country.
In turn, Resident Representative of the UN Development Program (UNDP) in Syria, Sudipto Mukerji, praised the partners who contributed and participated in the implementation of the DIGIT Center, expressing his pride in this center, which represents great joy for Syrian youth and a significant impact on Syrian society in overcoming challenges.
He noted that the opening of the center represents a true moment for Syria, the Syrian people, and the young generation, as it expresses resilience and progress at the regional level, constitutes a fundamental supporter of economic recovery, and is a positive step for Syria at the national level.
Dr. Abdallah Al Dardari ,UN Assistant Secretary-General, Assistant Administrator and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States (RBAS), said that the DIGIT Center will serve as a model for many other centers and an Arab platform for artificial intelligence, affirming its importance for Syria, as it faces years of recovery and reconstruction.
He stressed that the UN provides the necessary support to the Syrian government, the private sector, and Syrian civil society, highlighting the importance of integrating work between UN organizations, the Syrian government, the international community, donors, the Syrian private sector, and creative youth.
Japanese Chargé d’Affaires and Special Coordinator for Syria, Mr. Mr. Akihiro Tsuji , expressed his pleasure in representing his country’s government on this occasion, which represents one of Syria’s steps toward the future.
He considered supporting youth to be the cornerstone of Syria’s future rise, affirming Japan’s continued support for the Syrian people in strengthening human capacity toward early recovery and resilience.
Tsuji expressed his hope that his country’s grant to build this center would provide a foundation for Syrian youth to build a promising future in the digital age.
Adviser to the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Alaa Hamzawi, emphasized that the ministry always strives to provide innovative solutions and support all means of digital transformation.
He considered the center a qualitative achievement and true starting point for digital transformation toward Syria’s future.
Hamzawi pointed out that Syrian youth are the primary tool in any digital transformation, and they must be supported and empowered to be an effective tool toward a new digital economy, and that entrepreneurship is part of sustainable development.
Dr. Ghaith Warqouz, Assistant Minister of Higher Education for Scientific Research Affairs, presented He gave a presentation on Digit, explaining that its concept and theme are part of the university’s approach to effectively linking it to something sustainable, institutional, and practical on the ground, and to the needs of society.
Dr. Warqouz stated that with the cooperation of everyone and their partners, we will be able to continue this project, develop it, and transform it into a pioneering project to spread and achieve impact across all Syrian universities and governorates.
President of Damascus University, Dr. Mohammad Osama al-Jabban, highlighted the role of Damascus University as one of the fundamental pillars of society and an effective tool in achieving comprehensive development and human development.
He considered the DIGITS Center a practical model of the university’s modern vision, within the phases of intervention between the fourth and fifth generations of universities. It represents an important strategic step towards promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and transforming knowledge into projects with a tangible impact on the ground, serving the nation and its citizens, keeping pace with the challenges of the times and the requirements of the future.
MHD Ibrahim
