An International Conference on Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development at Damascus University

Damascus University hosts an International Conference on Digital Transformation and Sustainable Development in Syria. Arab and International researchers and specialists are participating in the 3-day conference in addition to a number of ministries, government agencies and bodies, and private Syrian institutions and companies.

Topics of concern include digital economy and its impact on economic growth, accounting and auditing in the light of digital transformation, digitization as a strategic option to support financial inclusion, the role of electronic management in sustainable development, in addition to modeling and measurement in digital transformation.

The conference also discusses digital transformation strategy for the government sector in Syria with examples derived from other countries. A r competition for the best research paper by postgraduates and researchers in the field of digital transformation will be also run during the conference.

 During the opening ceremony, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Dr. Bassam Ibrahim, emphasized that the Faculty of Economics is keen to keep up with the latest in the field of technology and related research, current digital transformation experiences in other countries, and other related issues.

Minister Ibrahim pointed out that the Ministry is working hard to improve the performance of higher education institutions and educational outcomes, support academic research, build scientific and technical capacities, and improve universities’ ranking- hoping that the conference will come up with important proposals and recommendations.

Minister of Communications and Technology, Engineer Iyad Al-Khatib, noted that digital transformation enhances communication and transparency, speeds up processing and operational efficiency, and reduces wasting public funds. Mr. Alkhatib also highlighted the current governmental efforts  aimed at building digital economy  that is based on diversity and sharing information.

Minister Al-Khatib emphasized that improving infrastructure is intended to encourage digital transformation as well as creating positive investment environment for small and medium-sized companies- especially foreign ones.

President of Damascus University, Professor Dr. Muhammad Osama Al-Jabban, pointed out the impact of digital transformation on higher education. He also stressed that the conference is a platform for participants to share, discuss and explore challenges through the papers presented. 

Governor of Damascus, Engineer Tariq Krishati, talked about the digital transformation strategy prepared in cooperation with Damascus University and the General Organization for Technical Industries.

Dean of the Faculty of Economics at Damascus University pointed out that digital transformation and sustainability are two prevailing trends in modern economy because they provide support to governments and sectors in making sustainable investment decisions, which need a huge amount of data that can be analyzed easily and accurately.

Head of the Regional Office of the Arab Federation for Digital Economy, Ammar Dalloul, stressed that it is important for Syria to keep pace with the technology of providing electronic services, media, digital transactions in order to re-build the country and connect with the global economy- pointing out that a Syrian branch is under establishment to cooperate, once opened, with the government and private bodies and institutions to implement the targeted initiatives, projects and programs towards digital economy and digital transformation.

The conference was attended by Minister of Finance Dr. Kenan Yagi, Ambassadors of a number of Arab and foreign countries, representatives of a number of diplomatic missions in Damascus, Head of the Central Authority for Supervision and Inspection, Amna Shamat, assistant ministers and heads of chambers of commerce and industry in Syria, general managers in government institutions, heads of federations, unions and organizations, chief executives of private banks and a number of heads of private universities.