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Dr. Dima Aziz Barakat
Chairperson of the Scientific Council
- Academic and expert in education and professional training, holding a Ph.D. in Arabic Language and Literature – Modern Literary Studies from Damascus University.
- Possesses over twenty years of experience in higher education, curriculum development, and the design of modern teaching and learning strategies.
- Specialized in developing university curricula based on the interactive communicative approach, including Arabic Language Skills for Specific Purposes and Arabic for Non-Native Speakers. She has also contributed to designing international academic programs and proficiency examinations in collaboration with prestigious institutions such as Yale University, University of Texas, University of Maryland, King Saud University, the UAE Ministry of Culture, and Zayed House for Islamic Culture.
- Certified Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Examiner by ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages), and an expert in applying American education quality standards—particularly in academic performance assessment and curriculum design.
- Former Resident Director of the U.S. Flagship Program in Syria, where she oversaw academic and training operations in coordination with Damascus University.
- Founder of an innovative educational initiative aimed at improving education quality in Syria and the Arab world through establishing a High Professional Qualification Framework aligned with international—especially American—standards. Her work bridges academic education with professional practice and enables institutions to achieve sustainable accreditation and quality.
- Author of several books and research papers in literature, criticism, and educational methodologies, with a focus on modern pedagogical approaches to language education and professional training.
- Participant in numerous regional and international conferences, representing Syria in research collaborations, most recently with the UAE Ministry of Culture.
- Currently serves as President of the American Board in Syria, Vice President of the American Open University, and Chief Executive Officer of Midmak International Academy (Syria | Australia). She is recognized for her strategic vision in advancing education and professional training according to global standards, empowering individuals and institutions to build competencies aligned with modern requirements.
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Dr. Talal Al-Ajlani
Member of the Scientific Council
- Senior expert and academic in Industrial Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Management, with over thirty years of experience in pharmaceutical production and regulatory affairs.
- Served as Technical Director and Consultant at SYPHCO, contributing to the implementation of Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and Quality Management Systems (QMS) in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
- Has taught and supervised academic courses at several public and private Syrian universities.
- Currently CEO and Managing Partner of Ajlani Trading & Industry Co., specializing in disinfectants and sanitizers production.
- Actively involved in professional and union work, having held leadership roles within the Syrian Pharmacists Syndicate, contributing to the advancement of the pharmaceutical profession and community service.
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Mr. Mohammad Al-Akkad
Member of the Scientific Council
- Legal and administrative expert with over twenty years of experience in International Law, Arbitration, Public Administration, and Institutional Capacity Building.
- Combines academic and professional experience in developing legal and governance systems, promoting transparency, and managing international cooperation programs with high-level organizations.
- Holds an MBA from the Syrian Virtual University, a Higher Diploma in Public Administration from the National Institute of Administration (INA) in collaboration with École Nationale d’Administration (ENA – France), a Bachelor’s in Law from the University of Aleppo, and a Professional Diploma in International Arbitration from the International Arbitration Center in Cairo.
- Specialist in International Humanitarian Law and Maritime Law, and a certified Trainer of Trainers (TOT) from the National Institute of Administration.
- Member of the Syrian Bar Association, the Arab Lawyers Union, and the Syrian Human Resources Association.
- Distinguished for leadership and strategic planning, providing specialized legal consultation in arbitration, governance, and institutional performance development, and managing international partnerships and cooperation initiatives.
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Prof. Dr. Ahmad Qarout
Member of the Scientific Council
- Professor and researcher in Teaching Arabic as a Second Language (TASL) with over thirty years of academic experience across leading universities and research institutions in the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.
- Served as Professor and Coordinator of the Arabic Flagship Program at Brigham Young University (USA), and as Director of the STARTALK Intensive Arabic Summer Program, in addition to his previous role as Visiting Professor at IFPO (French Institute of the Near East) in Damascus and Beirut.
- Former Director of Arabic Language Programs at the U.S. Embassy in Damascus, and internationally recognized for leading student debate teams that achieved top global rankings.
- Honored by the U.S. Department of State and several prestigious universities.
- Certified ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) Examiner, professional translator (Arabic–English–French), and active contributor to international conferences and academic initiatives in Arabic language teaching and cultural studies.
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Prof. Dr. Firas Issa
Member of the Scientific Council
- Expert and academic in Computer Engineering, Networks, and Information Technology, with over twenty years of experience in IT infrastructure management, cybersecurity, and e-payment systems.
- Served in senior leadership positions at the Central Bank of Syria, including Director of Information Technology and Director of Payment Systems.
- Played a leading role in developing national information security policies and establishing Syria’s national e-payment infrastructure.
- Published several peer-reviewed papers and taught advanced IT courses at public and private universities.
- Recognized for his strategic management approach and ability to design and implement technology plans that meet the highest standards of quality and information security.
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Prof. Dr. Ghassan Al-Nemr
Secretary of the Scientific Council
- Senior Software Engineer and Database Director with over twenty years of international experience in software engineering, data architecture, and IT infrastructure management.
- Holds a Ph.D. in Information Engineering from INSA Lyon – France, fluent in English and French, and a Canadian citizen.
- Distinguished for leading complex technological projects across academia, government, and the private sector, specializing in developing intelligent data management and operational analytics systems using AWS, Python, and Power BI.
- Has an outstanding record in designing integrated digital solutions, building advanced databases, developing software applications, and managing multinational technical teams, focusing on innovation and digital transformation within educational, financial, and healthcare institutions.
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Prof. Dr. Kristen Brustad
Honorary Member of the Scientific Council
- Holds a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations from Harvard University (1991).
- Served as Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, and previously as a faculty member at Emory University.
- Renowned academic in Arabic linguistics, comparative grammar, and dialectology, with research covering Maghrebi, Egyptian, Syrian, and Kuwaiti dialects, as well as Arabic literature, cultural traditions, and modern Arabic pedagogy.
- Contributor to the international CASA (Center for Arabic Study Abroad) program at the American University in Cairo, and recognized among the world’s leading experts in Arabic language instruction and modern Arab culture studies.
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Prof. Dr. Mahdi Al-Eish
Member of the Scientific Council
- Ph.D. in Teaching Foreign Languages, Ohio State University.
- M.A. in General Linguistics, Ohio State University.
- Director of the M.A. Program in Applied Linguistics at the Syrian Virtual University.
- Volunteer lecturer and assistant supervisor for master’s and doctoral theses in Arabic linguistics in both Arabic and English at the Higher Institute of Languages, Damascus University…
- Syria | Australia
- info@midmakinternational.com
