In an effort to empower young academic cadres and bridge the gap between theoretical education and the labor market, the Damascus and Countryside Chamber of Agriculture organized a practical field day for students of the Faculty of Agricultural Engineering at Damascus University. The event took place at a specialized nursery located on the Damascus International Airport road.
The field activity witnessed wide participation from students and graduates, aiming to provide them with direct hands-on skills in landscaping, nursery management, and modern agricultural techniques, under the supervision of a group of experts and specialists.
In a press statement, the Chairman of the Damascus and Countryside Chamber of Agriculture, Mohammad Jannat, confirmed that this field day is part of a package of initiatives launched by the Chamber to revive the Syrian agricultural sector, support local products, and enhance export capabilities. Jannat pointed out that Syria possesses a deeply rooted agricultural identity, noting, however, that the sector has faced significant challenges over the past years that led to a slowdown in its development.
Jannat added that since the liberation phase, the Chamber has focused its efforts on updating and developing agricultural production inputs. This activity, in cooperation with the Nurseries Committee, was designed to give students an opportunity to directly observe the practical reality, given the fundamental difference between theoretical curricula and field application. He also stressed that such experiences raise production and marketing efficiency, which positively reflects on supporting the national economy and boosting foreign currency reserves, noting that the Chamber continues to organize comprehensive specialized courses covering beekeeping, mushroom cultivation, livestock production, and nurseries.
For her part, the Consultant at the Chamber of Agriculture (Organizations Sector) and postgraduate student, Eng. Wissam Al-Hajji, explained that the idea crystallized after identifying an urgent need among students of applied faculties for real-world training, due to the detachment of academic curricula from executive aspects.
Accordingly, the Chamber proposed an integrated program that includes practical training days for all specializations of the Faculty of Agriculture, which number about 13. The first phase was dedicated to students of "Horticulture and Plant Protection," with plans to transition to other manufacturing and production units in the upcoming phases. Al-Hajji praised the great support provided by the Chamber's management to transform the proposal into an actionable on-the-ground program.
In turn, the university teaching assistant and specialist in natural resources and environment, Eng. Marah Al-Lahham, described the visit as rich in qualitative knowledge that opens wide horizons for students to establish their own projects. Al-Lahham added that the experience carried a deep emotional and environmental dimension upon witnessing historic perennial trees ranging in age between 2,000 and 4,000 years, emphasizing that environmental conservation requires continuous field engagement.
In the same context, Haitham Modamani, a nursery owner and investor, showcased the advanced Syrian experience in relocating and preserving perennial trees instead of logging them for firewood. Modamani explained that this idea started as a simple local initiative and then evolved into an attractive and successful sector whose expertise expanded beyond Syrian borders to reach Turkey, the Arab Maghreb, Bahrain, and other countries.
Modamani pointed out that relocating historic trees (some of which are over 1,000 years old) not only protects the vegetation cover and environmental heritage but also stimulates an integrated economic cycle that benefits the transport sector and agricultural labor. He stressed that despite the high international demand for Syrian expertise in this field, the priority remains to meet local environmental needs and protect them.
Regarding institutional organization, Hassan Haliwa, a board member of the Chamber and head of the Central Nurseries Committee, noted that there is a close cooperation and coordination agreement between the Chamber of Agriculture and Damascus University aimed at involving students in field training starting from their first years of study.
Haliwa explained that these tours allow youth to interact directly with employers and experts, understanding the mechanisms of production, biological care, and marketing. This prepares them effectively to enter the labor market, whether in the government sector, private sector, or private entrepreneurship. It also grants them an early opportunity to determine their professional passion and preference between administrative work or field-based productive work.
Conclusion: At a time of growing need to rely on youth energy and develop agricultural wealth, these joint initiatives form a fundamental pillar for supplying the market with engineers who combine solid science with strong practice, to preserve the Syrian agricultural identity and enhance its local and international presence
17/5/2026
