Syria, Turkey coordinating future of universities in north – Minister
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – Syrian Higher Education Minister Marwan al-Halabi said on Friday that all arrangements concerning Turkish universities operating in northern Syria are being conducted in coordination and agreement with the Turkish government.
In a statement published on his official Facebook account, al-Halabi announced that the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research will pay an official visit to Turkey on Aug. 5 to hold talks with Turkey’s Higher Education Council (YÖK) as part of ongoing discussions on the future of Turkish universities in northern Syria.
The minister added that the visit comes as a continuation of previous negotiations between the two sides and aims to strengthen coordination over higher education institutions operating in areas of northern Syria.
Al-Halabi stressed that cooperation with Ankara reflects Syria’s appreciation for Turkey’s role in supporting the education sector during the years of the Syrian conflict and helping ensure the continuity of education for thousands of students in northern Syria.
He expressed hope that the upcoming visit would contribute to enhancing academic cooperation between the two countries and lead to understandings that safeguard students’ rights and support the stability of higher education in Syria.
The announcement follows a meeting held on July 1 between al-Halabi and Abdul Razzaq Shams al-Din, director of the Turkish and Balkan Affairs Department at the Syrian Foreign Ministry, during which the two officials discussed the status of Turkish universities operating in Syria.
According to the Syrian state-run news agency SANA, Shams al-Din said at the time that the ministry would work to resolve outstanding issues related to Turkish universities in coordination with Ankara and facilitate a visit by a delegation from the Syrian Higher Education Ministry to the Turkish Higher Education Council.
Turkish universities and academic institutions expanded their presence in opposition-held areas of northern Syria during the conflict, offering educational programs and degrees to thousands of students in provinces bordering Turkey.
The planned visit to Ankara comes amid broader efforts by the Syrian transitional government to reorganize the country’s higher education sector and address unresolved administrative and legal issues affecting universities operating in different parts of Syria.