Questions, answered

You can begin in three easy ways: call us on +963 991 099 555, email info@alalamia-sy.com, or visit us in person at Mazzeh Western Villas in Damascus. A member of our advising team will walk you through the available tracks, confirm the next start date that suits you, and reserve your seat. Enrolment is confirmed once your registration form is completed and your first payment (or agreed instalment) is received. We recommend reaching out at least a week before a cohort begins, as popular certification tracks fill quickly.

It depends on the track. Foundation courses, such as introductory IT, basic networking, or entry-level management skills, are open to complete beginners and require no background. Advanced or certification-focused tracks (for example, higher-level networking or professional project management) assume some prior knowledge or experience, which we will explain clearly before you commit. If you are unsure where you fit, we offer a short, no-obligation advising conversation to place you at the right starting level so you neither feel lost nor repeat what you already know.

Absolutely, and we encourage it. Choosing well at the start saves months later. Tell us your goal (a specific certification, a career change, a promotion, or a new skill for your current role) and your available time, and we will map a realistic path for you: which course to take first, what it prepares you for, and how long it typically takes. This guidance is free and carries no obligation to enrol. Many learners tell us this early conversation was the moment their plan finally became clear.

Registration is simple. You will need a valid photo ID (national ID or passport), your contact details, and a completed registration form, which we can fill in together on your first visit or send to you in advance. For certification tracks, we will note the exact name spelling as it should appear on your certificate. No academic transcripts are required for most professional courses. If you are enrolling through an employer, we will also record the organisation's details for invoicing.

We are in Damascus, Mazzeh Western Villas, Syria, and visitors are always welcome. You are invited to come and see the classrooms and lab spaces, meet an advisor, and ask any question before deciding. Seeing the learning environment in person helps many people feel confident about their choice. To make sure someone is free to give you their full attention, please call ahead on +963 991 099 555 to arrange a convenient time.

Very much so. University gives you a strong foundation; a recognised professional certification shows employers you can apply it. Recent graduates often join our IT and management tracks to add a credential that sets their CV apart in a competitive market and to gain the hands-on, tool-based practice that classrooms rarely offer. We will help you choose a first certification with real hiring value and build a sensible sequence from there, so each step opens the next door.

Alalamia for Professional Development was established in Damascus in 2010 and has focused on professional training ever since. Over that time we have grown into five practice areas: IT Training and Certification, Management and Leadership, Human Resources, our Authorised Test Centre, and E-Learning.

Our training centre is in Damascus, Mazzeh Western Villas, Syria. Call or WhatsApp us on +963 991 099 555 before your visit and we will guide you to the door, or email info@alalamia-sy.com.

Yes. For language courses, we offer a free placement check that shows which level to start at, so you join a class that suits you. For IT, finance and other tracks, our advisers will talk through your experience and goals free of charge and recommend a sensible starting point. Call or WhatsApp +963 991 099 555, or email info@alalamia-sy.com, to arrange it.

Our teaching spans five practice areas. IT Training & Certification: cloud, networking, cybersecurity, data and AI, Microsoft 365 and software development, aligned with globally recognised bodies such as CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft and AWS. Management & Leadership: project management aligned with PMI practice, Agile and Scrum, leadership, change management and workplace skills. Human Resources: HR practice aligned with SHRM, talent and performance management, and people skills for managers. E-Learning: live online classes and a self-paced on-demand library. And our Authorised Test Centre for Pearson VUE and Prometric, where you can sit your certification exam. Whatever your starting point, we can place you on a track that leads to a clear, recognised outcome.

Instruction is bilingual and adapted to the group. Our instructors teach and explain in Arabic so concepts land clearly, while keeping the technical vocabulary, tools, and official exam terminology in English, because that is the language of the certification and the workplace. This blend helps you understand deeply and, at the same time, become comfortable with the exact English terms you will meet on the exam and on the job. Course materials are typically provided in English, the standard for international certifications.

Learning here is practical, not passive. Technical courses combine focused instruction with hands-on lab work, so you configure, troubleshoot, and build rather than only listen. Management and HR courses use discussion, real workplace scenarios, and applied exercises. Our classrooms are equipped for demonstrations and group work, and technical labs give you a real environment to practise in safely. We believe a skill you have performed with your own hands is a skill you keep, so every course is designed around doing, not just knowing.

Yes. Alongside on-site classes, we can arrange live online sessions and blended formats that combine in-person labs with remote instruction, which suits working professionals and learners outside Damascus. We also offer a library of self-paced on-demand courses and short live online classes on everyday work tools, and Alalamia Unlimited gives a full year of access to both. When you enrol, we will recommend the format that best fits your goal, your schedule, and the hands-on needs of your particular track.

We keep groups deliberately small so no one is left behind and every learner gets real attention, questions, and feedback. Our instructors are practitioners who teach from experience, not only from a textbook: they know how the tools behave in the real world and where learners typically stumble. That means you get honest guidance, worked examples from practice, and answers to the specific questions your role or exam raises, the kind of teaching that turns a syllabus into genuine capability.

Yes. Every enrolled learner receives structured course materials aligned to the track and, where relevant, the official certification objectives, so your study is focused rather than scattered. Technical tracks include lab exercises you can work through and revisit to build fluency. We also share practical guidance on how to keep sharpening the skill after the course ends, recommended practice routines and next steps, because certification is a milestone, not the finish line. If you later want to advance further, we will help you plan the next track.

Yes. Our English programme runs from General English A1 to C2, with Business English, Academic English, conversation and English for specific fields, plus preparation for IELTS, TOEFL iBT, the Duolingo English Test and the Cambridge business certificates. We also teach French, German, Spanish and Italian from A1 to B2, beginner courses in Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Korean and Persian, and Arabic for non-native speakers. For language professionals, we offer translation courses and TEFL teacher training.

Yes. Our live online classes are taught in real time by our trainers, so you can join from anywhere with a reliable internet connection. You can also learn at your own pace through our self-paced library, or choose Alalamia Unlimited, our 12-month subscription. Contact us and we will confirm the class times and the steps to enrol from your country.

Let us know as early as you can, by phone, WhatsApp or email. We will share the session materials and help you catch up, and where possible you can attend the same session in a later run of the course. Regular attendance matters for receiving your Alalamia certificate, so please read our attendance policy for the full rules.

Our courses align with the curricula of internationally recognised bodies. On the technology side, that includes certifications from CompTIA, Cisco, and Microsoft across networking, infrastructure, and security fundamentals. On the management and people side, our training aligns with PMI practice for project management and SHRM practice for human resources. During your advising conversation we will match you to the specific certification that fits your experience and goal, and explain exactly what it covers, who values it, and how to prepare for it well.

The course prepares you for the certification, and the official exam is a separate fee set by the certifying body (for example CompTIA or Cisco), payable when you book the exam. We keep the two clearly separate so you always know what you are paying for. When we quote your course, we will also tell you the current exam cost and how booking works, so there are no surprises. Because Alalamia is an Authorised Test Centre for Pearson VUE and Prometric, you can prepare and sit many exams, including CompTIA and Cisco, in the same trusted place in Mazzeh. Tell us the exact exam code and we will confirm it before you book or pay.

They serve different purposes, and both have value. A course completion certificate from Alalamia confirms that you attended and successfully completed our training, useful evidence of your effort and study. An international certification (from CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, and similar) is awarded by the global body itself after you pass its official exam, and it is what employers worldwide recognise on a CV. Our training is designed to take you all the way to that second, higher goal, the internationally recognised credential, with the course certificate marking your progress along the way.

Yes. You can sit many major certification exams right here, because Alalamia is an Authorised Test Centre for Pearson VUE and Prometric. Through Pearson VUE we deliver exams such as CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft and PMI, and through Prometric exams such as IMA CMA, ACFE CFE and SHRM. Once you feel ready, tell us the exact exam code: our team confirms it before you book or pay, helps you schedule it through the provider's system, and confirms the requirements. Sitting the exam in the same place you trained means a familiar, calm environment and staff who know the process. You do not have to have studied with us to book: external candidates are welcome too.

First, do not be discouraged: retakes are a normal part of certification, and many strong professionals pass on a second attempt. The certifying body allows retakes under its own rules and fees, and we will guide you through rebooking. More importantly, we will sit down with you to review where the gaps were, focus your revision on exactly those areas, and give you targeted practice so your next attempt is genuinely stronger. Our goal is not just to teach a course, but to see you certified.

Yes. The certifications our training targets are issued by globally established bodies (CompTIA, Cisco, Microsoft, PMI, SHRM), whose credentials are recognised by employers across the region and worldwide. They are vendor- and industry-standard qualifications, which is precisely why they carry weight on a CV and in hiring decisions. What we add is preparation grounded in real practice and the convenience of an Authorised Test Centre where you can both train and test, so the credential you earn is one the market genuinely respects.

An Alalamia diploma is our own award for completing a longer, structured programme that brings several related courses together into one learning path. It records the programme you finished and the skills it covered. Because it is issued by Alalamia, it is not a university degree or a vendor certification, which only the relevant bodies can award after their own exams.

Yes. We run exam preparation courses for the CMA (Parts 1 and 2), CIA (Parts 1 to 3), CFE, US CPA, CFA (Levels I to III), FRM, CRMA and the ACCA DipIFR, alongside practical accounting, audit and banking courses. Preparation is open to everyone, wherever you plan to test. The exams themselves are booked with, and paid to, the exam provider. CMA and CFE are delivered through Prometric and CIA through Pearson VUE at our Authorised Test Centre in Mazzeh. CFA and US CPA exams are delivered by Prometric at test sites chosen by the awarding body rather than at our centre, and ACCA exams are sat in ACCA's own exam sessions; for these we help you register. For any other exam, tell us the exact exam and we will confirm the route before you enrol.

Yes. CompTIA, Cisco and PMI exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, and Alalamia is an Authorised Test Centre for Pearson VUE and Prometric at Mazzeh Western Villas, Damascus. You sit your exam on a secure, individually proctored workstation, under the same international security rules as any test centre worldwide, and your result is recorded directly with the awarding body. Tell us the exact exam code and we will confirm it before you book or pay. Each awarding body's own requirements still apply, for example the project management experience PMI asks for before you apply for the PMP.

Exams delivered through Pearson VUE and Prometric can be sat in person at our Authorised Test Centre in Mazzeh, on a secure, individually proctored workstation with staff who know the process. Some awarding bodies deliver their exams online only, for example the Duolingo English Test, PeopleCert ITIL 4 and PRINCE2, IIBA, Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org, PECB and GAFM. For these we prepare you and help you register through the awarding body's own route. Tell us the exact exam and we will confirm how it is taken before you book.

Yes, many of our learners are working professionals. We schedule courses in formats designed to fit real lives: evening sessions on weekdays and concentrated weekend sessions, alongside daytime options. New cohorts open regularly across the year rather than only at fixed terms, so you rarely have to wait long to begin. When you enrol, we will show you the upcoming start dates for your chosen track and help you pick the rhythm, a steady weekly pace or a more intensive schedule, that matches your commitments.

Course fees vary by track, level, and duration: a short foundation course and an advanced multi-module certification path are naturally priced differently. For this reason we provide a clear written quote (in USD) for the specific course you are interested in, so you see exactly what is included before you commit. The quote covers your training and materials; the official certification exam is a separate fee set by the certifying body. Contact us with the track you have in mind and we will prepare a precise, no-obligation quote.

Yes. We understand that investing in your development is a real commitment, and we want cost not to be the barrier that stops you. Instalment arrangements are possible for many courses: we can split the fee across an agreed schedule so you can begin sooner and pay in manageable steps. The exact terms depend on the course and its duration; we will lay them out plainly in your quote and agree them with you in writing before you start, with no hidden charges.

Quotes are prepared in USD for clarity and consistency, and we will confirm the accepted methods and any local-currency arrangement at the time of enrolment. Payment is settled directly with our office when you register, and every payment is documented with a proper receipt so your record is clear, especially useful if an employer is reimbursing you. If you have a preferred arrangement, tell us; we will do our best to make the practical side simple so you can focus on learning.

We do our best to make training accessible, and there are situations where we can offer favourable terms, for example, when several colleagues or friends enrol together, or when an organisation sends a group. Registering early for an upcoming cohort can also help, since it secures both your seat and the current rate. The best approach is simply to ask: tell us your situation when you contact us, and we will let you know what we can arrange for your specific case, transparently and in writing.

Life happens, and we try to be reasonable. If you need to move to a later cohort, tell us as early as you can and we will do our best to transfer your enrolment to an upcoming start date. Withdrawal and refund terms depend on how much notice you give and whether the course has begun, and we set these out clearly in your enrolment agreement before you commit, so there are no surprises later. Our aim is always to find a fair, practical solution that keeps your investment protected.

If you tell us at least 7 days before the course starts, you receive a full refund. With less notice, you can either transfer to another course or start date, or receive a 50% refund. Exam fees are paid to the exam provider and follow that provider's own rules. Our refund policy page sets out the full details.

Yes, corporate and group training is a core part of what we do. Organisations come to us to upskill IT teams, certify staff, and strengthen management and HR capability across departments. We can train an existing team together as a cohort, which builds shared skills and a common language faster than sending people individually. Whether you need to prepare engineers for a technical certification or develop your managers' leadership and project skills, we will design a programme around your team's real starting point and objectives.

Absolutely. Off-the-shelf rarely fits a real team, so we begin by understanding your goals, your team's current level, and the outcomes you need: a certification, a specific skill set, or a capability gap you want closed. From there we tailor the content, depth, pace, and examples so the training reflects your actual work, not generic theory. We can prioritize the modules that matter most to you and adjust scheduling around your operations, so your people learn without your business stopping.

For organisations we issue a clear written proposal and quote in USD covering the full scope of the engagement. Typical corporate terms are 70% on confirmation of the programme and the remaining 30% on delivery, though we can discuss an arrangement that fits your procurement process. Every engagement is documented with proper invoicing so your finance team has clean records. We will agree all commercial terms in writing before training begins, so both sides are clear and the focus stays on results.

Yes. We can deliver on-site at your workplace, host your team in our classrooms and labs in Mazzeh Western Villas, or combine both with live online sessions, whichever causes least disruption and best suits the material. On-site delivery is convenient for larger teams and keeps people close to their work; training at our centre gives access to fully equipped labs for hands-on technical practice. We will recommend the setup that gives your team the strongest learning experience for the skills involved.

Yes. For a team, we start with a training-needs conversation to understand roles, goals and gaps. For a fuller picture, our Organisational Health Assessment (OHA) reviews strategy, structure, systems, culture, policies and skills, and shows where training will make the biggest difference. Either way, you receive a focused, practical plan rather than a generic package.

Yes. We can enrol your staff in live online classes and self-paced courses, run private online sessions for your team, and share progress reports with managers. Blended programmes that mix online sessions with in-person labs are also available.

Employers can email info@alalamia-sy.com with the holder's name and the details shown on the certificate, ideally with the holder's consent, and we will confirm in writing whether we issued it and for which course. For vendor or exam-body certifications earned after training with us, the employer should verify directly with the awarding body, as only that body can confirm those results.

Yes. Our NGO and Development Management track covers NGO management, monitoring and evaluation, proposal writing for donors, fundraising, gender and social inclusion, financial management and donor reporting, and preparation for the PMD Pro exam. We can run any of these as an in-house programme tailored to your organisation, with a written quote in USD and corporate terms of typically 70% on confirmation and 30% on delivery.

Alalamia is an Authorised Test Centre for Pearson VUE and Prometric, two of the world's leading exam-delivery networks. At our centre in Mazzeh you sit official certification exams on secure, individually proctored workstations, under the same international security rules as any test centre worldwide, and your result is recorded directly with the awarding body. A wide range of internationally recognised IT and professional exams can be taken here in Damascus, without travelling, so you can prepare and certify in the same trusted place.

No. The centre is open to everyone: our learners, self-taught candidates, university students and staff sent by employers. If you have prepared on your own or elsewhere and simply need an authorised, convenient place to sit your official exam, you are welcome to book with us as an external candidate. Of course, learners who train here enjoy the ease of preparing and testing in one place, but the centre itself is a service for the whole community of candidates in Damascus and beyond.

Booking is straightforward. Get in touch on +963 991 099 555 or info@alalamia-sy.com, tell us which exam you need (and its exam code, if you have it), and our team will confirm it and help you schedule it through the right system, Pearson VUE or Prometric, at a date and time that suits you. We will confirm the fee, the requirements, and what to bring, so everything is settled before the day. We recommend booking ahead to secure your preferred slot, especially around busy exam periods.

Official exams follow strict, standardized rules to keep every certification credible, so please plan ahead. You will need valid, government-issued photo identification with your name spelled exactly as it appears on your registration. Personal items such as phones, bags, notes, and smart devices are not permitted in the exam room and are stored securely during your session. We ask candidates to arrive early to check in calmly. When we confirm your booking, we will send you the precise identification and arrival requirements for your specific exam.

The centre is a quiet, secure, and professionally supervised space designed so you can focus fully on your exam. Testing stations are set up to the standards required by the exam providers, with a calm atmosphere and trained staff who manage check-in and proctoring properly and discreetly. Located in our training centre at Mazzeh Western Villas, it is easy to reach and familiar to our learners. Everything about the setting is intended to reduce exam-day stress so your result reflects your true ability.

Through Pearson VUE we deliver CompTIA (A+, Network+, Security+, CySA+, PenTest+, SecurityX, Linux+, Cloud+, Tech+), Cisco (CCNA, CyberOps Associate, CCNP, DevNet), Microsoft role-based exams (Azure, Microsoft 365, Power Platform, Power BI PL-300, Security), PMI (PMP, CAPM, PMI-ACP, PMI-RMP), ISC2 (CC, SSCP, CISSP), The IIA (CIA), AWS, Oracle, EC-Council, CertNexus, HRCI (aPHR, PHR, SPHR) and Python Institute (PCAP, PCPP), plus the wider Pearson VUE catalogue. Through Prometric we deliver IMA (CMA), ACFE (CFE) and SHRM (SHRM-CP, SHRM-SCP), plus the wider Prometric catalogue; SHRM may ask some applicants to complete an extra screening step, and we help you with it. Tell us the exact exam code and we will confirm it before you book or pay. The list of exams we deliver on our exam booking page gives the full picture.

Some awarding bodies use their own routes rather than Pearson VUE or Prometric. ISACA exams are delivered through PSI. PeopleCert ITIL 4 and PRINCE2, IIBA, Scrum Alliance, Scrum.org, PECB and GAFM exams are taken online with remote proctoring, and the Duolingo English Test is taken online at home. ACCA runs its own exam sessions, IELTS is held at official IELTS venues in Damascus run by another organisation, TOEFL is delivered by ETS, GMAT by GMAC, Google Cloud exams through Kryterion, Red Hat through its own exam service, and Certiport programmes such as MOS, Adobe and IC3 through Certiport. For all of these we prepare you and help you register through the awarding body's own route. CFA Institute and US CPA exams are delivered by Prometric at test sites chosen by the awarding body, not at our centre. See the list of exams we deliver (exams.html).