Scientific relations between Syria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) are witnessing a new phase of promising cooperation, represented by the official visit of the Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Marwan al-Halabi, to the Kingdom. The visit aimed to open broad horizons for a strategic partnership in the fields of higher education and scientific research, based on the endeavor to develop the educational system and serve students and researchers in both countries.
Strategic Cooperation Aspects
During the visit, a series of fruitful meetings were held, most notably the meeting with the acting President of King Saud University, Dr. Ali bin Muhammad Masmali. The two sides discussed several issues including the exchange of expertise and faculty members, and the launch of specialized university programs in vital technological fields such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. The meeting also focused on enhancing medical cooperation by leveraging the advanced infrastructure of Saudi university hospitals, particularly in the field of advanced medical simulation.
Women’s Empowerment and Research Partnerships
The tour of cooperation extended to Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, where they discussed ways to support women’s empowerment through the development of academic programs and initiatives that enhance their role in scientific research.
Discussions also included joint supervision of graduate students, exchange of student grants, and cooperation in the field of modern educational technologies and advanced laboratories, with the aim of building qualitative research partnerships, particularly in the health sciences and public health.
Quality Assurance and Accreditation
As part of the effort to improve the quality of education and align it with international standards, the visit included a meeting with the Education Evaluation Commission in the Kingdom. They agreed to cooperate in vital areas such as developing accreditation standards for graduate programs, designing performance cards for educational institutions, and leveraging Saudi expertise in improving international university rankings and enhancing academic governance.
This visit represents a practical step towards translating the shared desire to build strong academic and research partnerships. Opening channels of communication and academic exchange between the two countries’ leading educational institutions, through grant programs and joint research, not only serves to develop the Syrian university environment, but contributes to cultivating creativity and supporting sustainable development.
