Opening speech of the Midmak International Academy Center in cooperation with the American Board at Al Jazeera Private University

In the Name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Compassionate

Esteemed President and Members of the Board of Al-Jazeera Private University,
Distinguished Members of the Administrative Board of Al-Jazeera Private University,
Honorable Members of the Board of Trustees,
Honored Guests, Respected Colleagues, and Dear Students,
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you,

It is my honor today, in my capacity as the CEO of Midmak International Academy in Syria and Australia, and the President of the American Board in Syria, to participate in this occasion marking the inauguration of the Midmak International Academy Center at Al-Jazeera Private University, in partnership with the American Board and under the generous support and responsible supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

At the outset, I extend my deepest thanks and appreciation to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the renewed Syria, for believing in this collaboration, supporting this agreement from its inception, and diligently following through every stage of its implementation — in recognition of the importance of embracing international experiences and the need to link the Syrian higher education system with the best global practices in qualification and training.

I would also like to thank Al-Jazeera Private University for hosting this center and for its spirit of constructive partnership, which reflects a successful model of integration between academic education and specialized professional qualification.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Midmak International Academy is a licensed training institution in the Syrian Arab Republic, with a certified branch in Australia. It has obtained official accreditation from the International American Board, and is currently the only accredited body in Syria authorized to offer globally standardized qualification and training programs.

The Academy operates with a clear vision aimed at: “Linking vocational education with labor market needs and achieving a true integration between theoretical formation and practical experience — contributing to the development of qualified national competencies capable of regional and international competitiveness.”

Our mission is human-centered, focusing on empowering youth, graduates, and experienced professionals through credible, career-focused training opportunities that support their professional advancement and pursuit of graduate studies.

Midmak International Academy represents a healthy and integrated model of effective partnership between the qualified and accredited private sector and the public sector, as adopted in most developed nations, aiming to enhance the quality of education and align it with development needs and labor market demands.

The Academy does not aim to replace higher education institutions, but rather to be a strategic partner in improving their outcomes and expanding their practical scope — through offering high-level, locally and internationally accredited training and qualification programs that meet real-world needs and contribute to building capable, productive, and transformative professional cadres.

What distinguishes Midmak International Academy is its formal partnerships with reputable international organizations, foremost among them:

The American Board of Medical and Health Specialties,
The American Board for Human Resources Training and Development — two of the most credible and professional organizations worldwide.

These partnerships represent a major strength in the path of qualifying professionals and ensuring their international recognition in medical and health fields.

Among our other international partners are:

The British Board,
The Canadian Board,
The American University for Continuing Education,
The American Open University,
The Arab University for Science and Technology.

This strategic approach reflects Midmak Academy’s commitment to improving program quality, developing both scientific and professional content, and ensuring alignment with the highest global standards — thereby opening broad horizons for trainees in terms of international accreditation and employability.

In a new step toward expansion and sharing expertise, Midmak International Academy is actively working to establish branches and partnerships in several Arab countries, notably with the Education and Training Councils in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which is considered a leading and promising market in professional development and technical education.

This endeavor positions Syria as a regional hub for launching the Academy’s project of building a network of professional universities in line with the best international practices, thereby contributing to enhancing the quality of education and expanding employment opportunities across the region.

Midmak International Academy’s educational system and methodology are founded upon five core pillars that serve as the backbone for the design of all its training programs and pathways:

Orientation – to regulate inputs and ensure sustainable resource use.
Frameworking – to provide cognitive and professional guidance for trainees.
Formation – as a base for building knowledge and organizing scientific and professional modules.
Skilling – to develop practical and professional skills within structured application contexts.
Professionalization – to prepare trainees for entering the labor market and practicing competently.

This methodology is adopted to ensure that training tracks are aligned with professional development goals, based on global standards focused on results and applicability.

The Academy operates across all sectors, including: medical and health, engineering, administrative, legal, educational, and entrepreneurial fields.

It targets all segments of Syrian society, across all ages and educational/professional stages, within its comprehensive vision for building national competencies.

The collaboration between Midmak International Academy and Al-Jazeera Private University stems from a shared vision aimed at integrating academic education with specialized vocational training — through establishing a permanent training center within the university, operating according to quality standards accredited by the American Board for Medical, Health, and Professional Specialties, of which the Academy is the official and exclusive representative in Syria.

The operational mechanism is based on the following pillars:

Delivering specialized professional training programs to university students during their studies, within a cumulative educational system that includes:
- Academic Orientation
- Scientific Frameworking
- Vocational Formation
- Practical Skilling
- Professionalization at Graduation
Qualifying new graduates from Al-Jazeera Private University through accredited professional diplomas, enabling them to obtain a professional certificate alongside their academic degree.
Opening pathways to postgraduate professional programs (Diploma – Master’s – Professional Doctorate) for all university graduates, through academic tracks accredited by the American Board and in collaboration with partner international universities and institutions.

This collaboration with Al-Jazeera Private University represents a pilot model of a series of strategic partnerships pursued by Midmak International Academy, in coordination with the American Board, aimed at supporting higher education in Syria and enhancing the quality of its outcomes.

Midmak International Academy does not stop at educational partnerships — it also prioritizes contributing to the resolution of one of Syria’s most critical national challenges: the deprivation of thousands of Syrians from their right to education due to war and harsh living conditions in recent years.

On this occasion, and within this framework, Midmak International Academy, in cooperation with the American Board, proudly announces the launch of its national program:

“Accreditation of Practical Experience”, aiming to:

Acknowledge and validate the practical experience acquired by Syrians in various fields.
Convert this experience into accredited professional certificates, enabling individuals to resume their academic and professional journeys.
Integrate marginalized groups into professional qualification pathways that restore their confidence and provide new opportunities for employment and inclusion.

Through this initiative, the Academy seeks to be an active contributor in building a fair and inclusive model of vocational education — one that excludes no one and upholds the belief that the right to education and training is not a luxury, but a fundamental pillar of reconstruction and sustainable development.

In conclusion, Midmak International Academy is not merely an educational institution, but a strategic intellectual project that envisions the future — dedicated to building the human being intellectually, professionally, and ethically through integrated programs based on international standards while grounded in our Syrian and Arab identity.

At Midmak, we believe that true development begins with building human capacities, and that investing in people is the noblest form of investment. For this reason, we continue our journey with steady steps — to be part of the solutions, agents of change, and genuine partners in building the knowledge society and the economy of the future.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.

Dr. Dima Aziz Barakat
CEO – Midmak International Academy – Syria & Australia
President – American Board in Syria