The Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research held an important meeting in Damascus to discuss future cooperation prospects in vital areas. Minister of Higher Education Marwan al-Halabi received Amir Hariri, Executive Director of the Bayt al-Joudah Consulting and Training Institute (BACT) in Dubai, and his accompanying delegation.
The BACT Institute is a education and development center licensed by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority (KHDA) in Dubai. The institute offers a wide range of courses and training programs in various fields, aiming to qualify individuals, develop their skills, and provide distinguished training opportunities that meet the needs of the labor market. The institute is distinguished by its focus on applied training directly benefiting the institutions and individuals who utilize it.
Supporting Initiatives and Encouraging Others
The meeting focused on a number of innovative initiatives in the areas of educational scholarships, training, and qualifications offered by the BACT Institute. Halabi expressed his warm welcome for these initiatives, considering them “an incentive for others to follow suit,” and emphasized the ministry’s readiness to cooperate. He revealed a practical step, namely “the formation of a communication and follow-up committee” to coordinate between the ministry and the institute, with the aim of making the most of these initiatives and ensuring equal opportunities for Syrian students.
Digital Priorities and Linking Education to the Labor Market
Halabi highlighted promising areas of joint cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity. He also noted that the ministry is nearing completion of a major project, namely digital transformation, which constitutes a strategic priority. The Minister linked this approach to the need to “link scientific research and educational outcomes with labor market needs” to ensure the viability and seriousness of educational outcomes.
Supporting Reconstruction and Transferring Expertise
For his part, Hariri explained that the primary goal of the initiatives is to support the reconstruction process in Syria by transferring the extensive expertise and experience of the BACT Institute in the education and training sector to the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education. Hariri revealed the ambitious possibility of establishing a branch of the BACT Institute in the capital, Damascus, noting that the institute offers educational and professional qualifications and certificates accredited by prestigious bodies in Britain and the UAE.
Community Conscious
Dr. Yara Yahya, Academic Director at the institute, explained the set of initiatives proposed for the community. These initiatives include scholarships for top high school students in both the science and arts fields, and professional excellence grants for top students in government colleges and institutes. The initiatives will also include community support programs in the form of workshops and free courses for mothers affected by the war. Finally, an educational platform will be launched to support students impacted by the conflict.
