Damascus, (SANA) – Speaker of the People's Assembly Dr. Mahmoud al-Abrash chaired on Monday a People's Assembly session dedicated to hearing the answers of the Ministry of Higher Education regarding its future plans.

In the course of answering the questions, Minister of Higher Education Dr. Ghiath Barakat said the Higher Education Board is currently evaluating Open Education in order to develop it and achieve its goals, taking into account the ability of universities to accept the increasing number of students in this field.

Minister Barkat pointed out that his ministry is working on establishing new faculties, departments, and institutes as needed after careful studies of student numbers, availability of faculty members, labs, buildings and other requirements and factors.

Regarding the reasons of not granting equivalency to certain non-Syrian degrees, the Minister said the Ministry grants equivalency based on basis and standards, including having acquired a high-school certificate or its equivalent prior to receiving the degree.

He pointed out that providing job opportunities to graduates of the institutes affiliated with the Ministry of Higher Education is linked to the needs of ministries and establishments.

Regarding allowing Open Education students to continue their higher studies in state universities, Dr. Barakat said the Higher Education Board allowed several Open Education graduates to apply to certain studies according to regulations.

He also announced that the University Hospital in Aleppo will be working 24 hours a day from the beginning of next month.

The Minister answered several other questions regarding the possibility of establishing specific institutes and faculties in certain areas, delegating teachers at technical institutes to receive higher degrees, reconsidering regulations in regards to salary limits, lowering fees of private universities, among other issues.

H. Sabbagh