The Department of German Language & Literature (DGLL) at The Faculty of Humanities celebrated the dedication of its new premises. The ceremony was accompanied by cultural and artistic activities carried out by 3rd and 4th year students. Posters featuring German culture were also exhibited.On this occasion, Prof. Wael Mualla, the president of Damascus University, commended the strong cultural ties between Damascus University and German universities. These relations witnessed remarkable developments in recent years DU president pointed out that 96 teaching assistants at Damascus University from various disciplines are currently studying at German universities, and that 20% of faculty members are graduates of German universities. DU has already seconded 6 teaching assistants to German universities to pursue Ph.D. degrees in German language & literature. Upon their return they will become faculty members at DGLL.Prof. Mualla maintained that the job opportunities for this year’s graduates are promising and that the top six graduates will be seconded to German universities to pursue higher studies. He added that DU will provide other graduates with the needed additional training to qualify them to work as instructors of German, or in tourism and translation. Speaking at the ceremony, H.E. Dr. Andreas Ryaneckh, the German Ambassador in Damascus, stressed that cooperation between Damascus University and German Universities has provided an academic framework for dialogue between Arab and German cultures, and constituted a cornerstone in the bilateral relations between Syria and Germany.Dr. Ryaneckh expressed the preparedness of the German side to provide DGLL with the required moral and financial support, noting that learning a foreign language does not only entail acquiring a new language but also knowledge of the culture and mindset of another nation, and stressing that whoever acquires this skill will know how to deal with the “other” in all facets of interaction.Dr. Abdo Abboud, head of DGLL, said that the department receives support from the German side through dedicated German organizations like DAAD and The Goethe Institute. He also expressed hope that both sides will provide additional support to overcome difficulties impeding the progress of DGLL pointing out that the class of 2010 will be the first graduating group of DGLL students. Dr. Hussein Imran, Syria’s former Ambassador to Germany and a number of DGLL faculty and students attended the ceremony.
