Syrians fill language classes as Russian influence grows
Syrian students, aware that Russian influence is in their country to stay, see learning Russian as a key to both higher education and employment.
ALEPPO — As relations between the Syrian regime and Russia develop with the signing of scientific, economic and cultural agreements, Syrians from all walks of life are signing up for Russian language courses in regime-controlled parts of the country. Opportunities to learn and develop Russian in Syria range from contests like the "Russian Olympics" to universities and private courses offered by associations such as Al-Wafi.
Vadim Zaichikov, the director of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Beirut, visited Al-Baath University in Homs in April to discuss the introduction of the Russian language into the curriculum and creating a Russian language department. Al-Baath is the third largest university in Syria, offering its 140,000 students prestigious music degrees as well as technical ones such as oil and gas engineering. The university’s newly appointed dean, Abdelbaset Al-Khatib, is a graduate of St. Petersburg State University.
