Throughout its fifth edition of Research: To strengthen the Culture of Knowledge, Ettijahat team has worked on up scaling the programme content through revisiting its structure and content. Many upgrading were done based on an evaluation of the previous editions of the programme. A major theme was added to the main axes to which applicants can apply, making the main axes of the research papers as follows:

The poster of Ettijahat for the Syrian Research programme Strengthen the Culture of Knowledge

Exploring traditional and contemporary forms of documentation, archiving, and protection of Syrian intangible heritage, along with the role of this heritage in the social, creative and economic sectors of a future Syria
Researching craft traditions, including materials, techniques and products, associated personal experiences of artisans, and symbolic and cultural meanings of patterns. Examining knowledge transmission processes within traditional crafts, and the master/apprentice relationship and its broader role in society.
Examining active cultural structures in Syrian society, in search of causes of cultural marginalisation. The dynamics of transformations in features of Syrian culture—features that are inherited, as well as those that are being acquired during the uprising in its different phases.
New cultural features born from processes of change and the outlook for Syrian culture after the crisis.
Artistic and creative trends in Syrian artistic products and Syrian artists, wherever they are as well as the creative economy
Managing sought-after cultural change process and possible forms of intervention.

The young researchers accepted under the fifth edition of Research: To Strengthen Culture of Knowledge programme, which is supported by Mimeta - Centre for Culture Sector Development and Arts Cooperation and Turquoise Mountain Foundation are the following:

Alina Oueishek The Meaning of Home for Syrian Youth in Beirut
Arwa Sharaf Al Dein Geo-cultural Transformations of Cities: Case Study-Greater Damascus
Bassma Shaikho Signs of War in Syrian Artists’ Work in 2011-2017
Dima Nachawi Threads of Hope: Manufacturing Agahabani
Ghaith Al Shaar On the Cultural Backgrounds of Emerging Musical Identities in Syria
Hussam Al Hassoun Syrian Turkmens in Turkish Exile: Problems of Cultural Identity After the Syrian Crisis in 2011.
Maryam Samaan The Role of Puppet Theatre as an Artistic Tool in the Cultural Change the Syrian Society is Undergoing
Mostafa Alskaf Institutional Response to Management of Threats Posed to the Syrian Material Cultural Heritage
Moustafa Suleiman The Revolution’s Image in Syrian Theatre Over Six Years
Nour Abofarraj The Social and Cultural Functions of Syrian Cuisine and Its Shifts in Times of War
Oula Sheikh Hassan Syrian Handicrafts: A Way to Make a Living
Rana Alsheikh Ali The Militarisation of the Syrian Society: Manifestations and Effects on Society and Culture
Tala Al Shami and Lujain Halimeh Cultural Investment of Industrial Heritage in Damascus: Case Study-Cement Factory
Sultan Jalaby Ideolisation of Songs: Song Genres and Their Role in the Syrian Conflict
Zeina Shahla Damascene Crafts in Times of War: Case Study – Textiles

To view a description of selected research papers, please click here.

The judges' panel, composed of Ms. Sarab Atassi, Mr. Farouk Mardam Bek, and Dr. Hassan Abbas, has during the process selected 15 research papers out of 80 valid application forms received by Ettijahat up to August 27, 2017 – the deadline for receipt of applications.

Mr. Farouk Mardam Bey, member of the judges panel under the programme's fifth edition, said: "Research: To Strengthen Culture of Knowledge programme seeks to encourage Syrian researchers in Syria and abroad to prepare objective research papers that are committed to the principles of scientific research in terms of their design, documentation and editing when covering all matters relating to the Syrian issue. Ettijahat's team is keeping track of the researchers' work at all stages and helps them complete their work to meet the publishing requirements. The programme is proud that it has allowed over the past five years a rare opportunity for dozens of male and female researchers to receive the needed training, which has yielded research papers that enrich our knowledge of Syrian society, its cultural heritage and its living culture."

In its next step, Research: To Strengthen Culture of Knowledge programme will organize a training course for accepted researchers under the supervision of specialized researchers. The training course will take place during November 2017 in Beirut, before researchers become fully dedicated to completing their research.

At the end of the training course, and based on an evaluation made by a specialized committee, Ettijahatwill publish a number of completed research papers. The publication will depend entirely on the evaluation of the completed research papers.