Graduate students in Damascus have been hit with a major shock following a sudden decision to relocate them from their main university housing in Mezzeh to Tambala and Barzeh housing. This decision has sparked significant dissatisfaction due to the significant distance between the accommodations and the universities, increasing transportation costs and exposing them to various challenges.
In addition to the long distance they have to travel to reach the Assad Library, attend lectures, and seminars, students face difficulties in adapting to life in a new place and interacting with new colleagues. Moreover, they are also required to bear the costs of moving their belongings to the new housing.
Regarding the relocation decision, Dr. Abbas Sandoq, the director of university housing, explained that this decision was made based on the housing units' capacity to accommodate students, and it was not necessary to inform the students in advance. He stated that it is his duty to provide university housing for all students, and therefore, several specializations were assigned according to the capabilities of the university city.
Regarding the recently launched electronic "Sakan" application, which aims to facilitate the student registration process in the university city, Abbas Sandoq confirmed that the submitted requests are being processed and admissions are being secured, taking into account the circumstances and continuous improvements in the system.
Returning to the services in the university housing in the Mezzeh area, the university city suffers from ongoing problems. The electricity supply is periodically interrupted due to damaged power cables, and power rationing hours increase on most days. Among other problems they face is the difficulty of obtaining hot water for bathing, as it is only available on Saturdays. Additionally, the prices of shops and groceries inside the university city are significantly higher than those outside.
Some students have reported continuous housing problems and the need for improvements in the past, but no serious measures have been taken to address them.
These complaints reflect many challenges faced by students in university housing, regardless of the geographic location of the housing. The sudden relocation may impact students' academic focus and their desire to continue studying at the university, while the new life challenges increase the levels of pressure and stress.
