In implementation of the content of the scientific agreement signed between University of Damascus and Damascus Petrochemical Refinery Company, and to encourage scientific research, The Green Competition was announced to target the fourth-year students of the Faculty of Sciences, specialization of the applied and pure chemistry and environment, in order to study the properties and specifications of mineral lubricating oils within internal combustion engines.

Dr. Hammoud Orabi, Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Damascus, stressed that this competition is the first to target students of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Science. The competition includes asking a question of their specialization, which was set by the scientific committee supervising the cooperation agreement, so that it is answered within a brief scientific research that demonstrates scientific capabilities, achieved by the students in this domain.

Orabi pointed out that the large student turnout to the competition encouraged the company to expand the circle of student participation from the chemistry departments in all different Syrian universities.

Dean of the college indicated the importance of such agreements in supporting the fields of scientific research and various scientific activities and their role in acquiring experiences for students before entering the labor market.

“This is very much required at the present time, as companies from the public and private sectors should be encouraged to help students obtain experiences outside the university framework and employ them in reconstruction and community building,” The Dean said.

Director of Public Relations of the Refinery, Julia Awad, for her part, said that the competition aims to  encourage students to expand their scientific and knowledge horizons and as a first step to implement the memorandum of understanding signed with the University of Damascus after it was renewed, adding that that the number of participating students exceeded 100 ones, taking into consideration that registration is open until the end of this month.

The competition includes a seminar on the origins of mineral oils, their functions, the role of lubricating oils, and what are their characteristics that enable them to perform their tasks well in engines.

“It also includes an explanation of health problems and environmental challenges related to the negative environmental impact posed by  spent lubricating oils that are thrown into different environments after their use on human health and the environment, and how recycling can use these oils from an environmental and economic point of view,” Awad added