In a significant step toward international reintegration and modernization of the education system, the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research is advancing discussions with key international partners.
Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Marwan al-Halabi met with Michael Ohnmacht, Chargé d’Affaires of the EU Delegation to Syria, and his accompanying delegation. Talks focused on the ministry’s plans and priorities for developing higher education and scientific research, with particular emphasis on reopening the Erasmus+ program office in Damascus.
Boosting International Ties for Academic Modernization
During the meeting, Halabi affirmed the ministry’s readiness to cooperate with the EU in strengthening the higher education sector. Priority areas include reactivating the Erasmus+ program with Syrian universities and reopening its office in the capital.
He also outlined additional objectives, such as enhancing applied scientific research, developing a clear roadmap for joint cooperation, and establishing a permanent coordination committee between the two sides.
Highlighting the scope of Syria’s higher education system, Halabi said it includes 50 public and private universities serving approximately 1.1 million students. The sector also encompasses 15 university hospitals providing over 40% of the country’s medical services.
The minister noted current reform efforts focus on modernizing curricula to better align with labor market needs and strengthening applied research. This includes expanding cooperation with international institutions and educational programs, with Erasmus+ considered a leading priority.
EU Reaffirms Commitment to Academic Reintegration
For his part, Ohnmacht reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Syria in the education sector. He expressed the EU’s readiness to reopen Erasmus+ to Syrian beneficiaries, including scholarship opportunities, and to establish a new program office in Damascus serving as a direct coordination hub with the ministry.
He explained that the EU seeks to broaden the program’s scope both geographically and thematically. This would extend opportunities beyond students to include academic staff and professors, while strengthening institutional partnerships with Syrian universities. Cooperation would also expand beyond medical education to other disciplines aligned with Syria’s development priorities.
Ohnmacht reiterated the EU’s support for Syria’s reintegration into the international academic and research community. He emphasized identifying specific areas for collaboration in technical and service-oriented fields, building national capacity, and strengthening links between universities and the private sector.
Erasmus+, a flagship EU initiative, supports education, training, youth, and sports. It provides funding for academic exchanges, study programs and vocational training within Europe and internationally. The program also offers scholarships, particularly for joint master’s degrees, aimed at developing participants’ skills and fostering cross-border cooperation.
