Kalamoon Periodical
They usually use it on websites under the title of “Who are we?”
The periodical’s name assimilates the echo of the word “Kalamoon” which is the name of the University publishes it. “Kalamoon”, the name of the region where the University is located, is the plural form of “Kalam” which in the Syriac language means “Pen”. There are two possibilities for naming the region of “Kalamoon” like this:
- Either because its mountains resemble pens, as has been said, which is a weak possibility,
- Or because its people were intellectuals and men of letters who used pens in their writings which is most likely in line with the history of the region.
Thus, the periodical’s logo was shaped like a pen where the echo of the last part of “Kalamoon”, which is “moon”, sounds in the periodical’s name. Consequently, it became the moon of intellectual and media enlightenment.
Soon after the opening of the University in 2003, the periodical started to be published as a bi-monthly newsletter of eight large pages. It aimed to cover the scientific, administrative and student activities of the University family, a limited number of Deratiah schools and some other schools. It is worth mentioning that the Directorate of Activities was commissioned by publishing the periodical.
The University Council gave a lot of attention to develop the periodical, so it created a committee on 24/9/2007, comprised of Dr. Mohammed al-Sakka, Dr. Imad Kaaeed and Dr. Mohammed Maarawi to supervise it. In the late 2008, the University Council appointed Eng. Maan Haidar as an editor-in-chief, who later on became the general manager of the General Organization of Radio and Television – Syria. The supervision committee members have been changed several times. It was supervised by Dr. Mahmoud Bakir then by Dr. Marwan Qapalan. Since 31/3/2012, Dr. Salim Daboul, Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees, has chaired the committee whose members are: Dr. Ninet Khaddour, Mr. Akram Melhem and Dr. Mohammed Maarawi.
Since June 2008, it became a monthly scientific and media magazine where development didn’t take place in shape and size only, but also in goals and objectives. Therefore, the covered news wasn’t limited to the scientific extracurricular activities, conferences, hosting, and activities of the student societies and gym only, but it had other objectives, most importantly: publishing the teachers’ scientific articles as well as some of the students’ research. All of that is done in a simplified way which enables the students to comprehend a variant scientific culture to expand their horizons and strengthens their character. It also enables the students of any major whatsoever to gather more information in their specialization. The second important objective is encouraging the literary and artistic creativity of the University family as well as encouraging the students to write passing literary thoughts, poetry and stories. There are other objectives to achieve such as documenting activities, following up the distinguished graduation projects and providing beneficial entertainment. The magazine has a special section for English to make students become skilled at this language.
The last modification took place in the magazine changed its sections to become as follows:
- Editorial.
- University Spot Lights: it covers the distinguished medical achievements in the Medical City Hospital and in other institutions affiliated to the University such as Skills and Careers Centre.
- Scientific Articles.
- Al-Dar News (University’s news).
- Sa’a Wa Sa’a (entertainment).
- Creative Literary Participations.
- English Language Editor.
Since February 2012 and due to the unfortunate events that smothered the country, the magazine has suffered greatly. Consequently, it started to be published three times a year only in accordance with the academic semesters.
“Kalammoon” magazine hoped to evolve with the development of the University to eventually become a meticulous scientific journal which expresses the good scientific level of the University, its teachers and researchers through publishing a media newsletter of the University and its spot lights.
The magazine didn’t lose the glimpse of hope. It also awaits the country to recover from the ordeal and awaits the trace of a smile to play across the Syrian faces.