نص اللقاءمع الأستاذ الدكتور محمد نزار عقيل رئيس جامعة حلب والذي أجرته مجلة Forward Magazine بعددها رقم /15/ بتاريخ أيار 2008 , بمناسبة العيد الذهبي لجامعةحلب Celebrating 50-years of Aleppo University Dr.Akil: I know we have a long way to go. I have great faith, however, that our university can present a better future for our students. We have put Aleppo University on the right track. What started out as a small Faculty of Engineering and a population of 295 students has mushroomed to be­come Syria's second largest university. Founded in 1958, Aleppo University (AU) now has more than 25 facul­ties, 152 departments, ten other intermediate institutes, six hospitals, and seventeen academic centers.On its 50th anniversary, AU seems to be getting younger-more spirited, alive, and dynamic than ever before. The University of Aleppo celebrates its Golden Jubilee on May 4, 2008, with events, workshops, and confer­ences, attended by delegations and presidents of75 universities from Europe, Asia, and the Arab World.To cover more details of the Golden Jubilee, FW: interviewed Aleppo University President Mohammad Nizar Akil. A seasoned veteran at AU, Akil previously served as the Vice Rector of Academic Affairs, Vice Dean for Administrative Student Affairs, and Chairman of the Pathology Department at the Faculty of Medicine  The Golden Jubilee has received special attention. What is the main objective of this entire celebration  It is great indeed to celebrate half a century of Aleppo University. Nevertheless, our main goal is not only to celebrate. AU has the potential for success, and it is time to position this university properly on the educational map in both Syria and the region. We are aiming to increase AU's exposure by inviting presidents of internationally acclaimed universities from different countries across the globe.We are also investing in our network with over 150 prestigious universities and institutes of higher education. To date, we have hosted over 120 conferences and workshops since 2004.For example, both NAMMA and the European Doctor Association asked us to host their meetings. They found that people here are interested, motivated, and enthusiastic. This is surely a credit for the university. Furthermore, over the last few years, we have become part of the European Permanent University Forum (EPUF).We are also part of the European Mediterranean University and the Regional Corporation Confremo, where academics from Lebanon, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, and Syria collaborate to issue the Aleppo Conform. We have been lucky that the first meeting of the Confremo coincides with the 50th anniversary of Aleppo University. We decided to host the meeting, thereby giving Aleppo more international exposure. Would these networks help improve the current Master's Degree program at AU Absolutely, being part of many networks would help AU develop joint MA degree programs with other universities, bringing new tools and techniques for our students.Additionally, we already have the Tempus master's degree program, INSA of Lyon program, and some others The ceremony is a four-day program. What activities are going to take place On the first day, we are having the opening ceremony, attended by Syrian officials, international university delegations, and academics from around the world. The university will pay tribute to all ministers who studied at AU and are currently in office, in addition to all former presidents of the university.Then one of our professors will give a presentation, in collaboration with a visiting professor from Germany, on certain cooperative educational and academic programs.The presentation will be followed by a visit to the Friends of Aleppo University Park. On the second day, there will be a tour of the faculties, with each visitor choosing the faculty related to his/her specialization. In addition, the program includes exhibitions and conferences.We also plan a special tourist program for visitors to see the ancient city and its surrounding archaeological sites. Honoring the Golden Jubilee will be the first International Medical Conference in AU's history. It aims at putting AU on the right path towards receiving accreditation from the International Medical Association.The medical conference will help build a network between internationally acclaimed doctors and their Syrian counterparts, bringing more expertise to Syria, and providing our physicians You just mentioned a visit to Friends of Aleppo University Park. What is that, can you please tell us with the chance to get international exposure. As for exhibitions, there will be four, one on communication and information technology, one on medical equipment and medicines, another private universities and colleges, and finally, on books To celebrate our 50th anniversary, we came up with a project called the Friends of Aleppo University Park The park is yet to be planted, and VlPs are kindly requested to contribute a tree to be planted there.The aim of such an activity is to promote community serlce and responsibility, along with environmental awareness. This is also meant to provide an inspirational role model for students to follow, as each tree will be named after the person who planted it.The University Park is located between the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. By the end of the year, we would have completed 50% of the park The rest comes in 2009 The organization of the celebration must have been a lot of work. How was the university able to manage Truth be told, the celebration is a collaborated effort between AU and the private sector. There are many private companies that helped organize the conferences, such as al-Sadeer for Tourism and Event Management and Sydney Gallery. Also, MED MAC, one of the leading Syrian construction companies, donated a hefty amount of money for constructing the Friends of Aleppo University Park Would such partnerships with the private sector lead to organizing internship programs for AU students Absolutely. Our strategic aim is to build a platform with the private sector and satisfy the needs of the Syrian job market. We want to develop our human resources in accordance with Syrian needs. Reciprocally, the university will provide its students with real life experiences and necessary qualifications.We will be able to overcome the dilemma of having academically strong graduates with no professional experience and practical skills. Additionally, we are developing a program with Syriatel where our computer science students will be ableto harness their educational background with sufficient skills.We are also building a new centre for the University of Aleppo's industrial city to help students invest in research and development, with companies in the Aleppine private sector.Basically, living in an academic sheltered society will no longer be an option for our students Aleppo University is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Being an insider yourself, however, do you still find that the Faculty of Arts and umanities lacks efficient educational resources Some of the programs need to be updated. Our faculty members should benefit from the global experience by attending more conferences. We can only do so, by interacting and building partnerships with international universities. Also, a lot of international cooperation programs allow visiting scholars and lecturers as well as exchange students to come to our university. I know we have a long way to go.I have great faith, however, that through collaboration with other universities, AU can present a better future for our students. We have put Aleppo University on the right track