Türkiye and Syria signed an agreement for the planned Syrian-Turkish University in Damascus. At the same ceremony, Türkiye’s Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and Syria’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research also signed an agreement on cooperation in higher education and scientific research.
Before the signing ceremony, delegations headed by YÖK President Erol Özvar and Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halebi held a meeting.
Türkiye to support Syria’s education infrastructure
Erol Özvar highlighted the shared historical, cultural and civilizational ties between Türkiye and Syria, describing the two countries as friends and brothers. He said the recent momentum in bilateral relations had also supported cooperation in higher education.
Özvar said strong and sustainable partnerships between universities would contribute to the development of the academic environment. He stated that these partnerships would contribute to the future of both countries, regional stability and ties between their peoples, and said he expected cooperation to be placed on an institutional and long-term footing in higher education.
Özvar said Türkiye would continue its comprehensive support for strengthening Syria’s education infrastructure and announced that Turkish universities were ready to develop various cooperation models with Syrian higher education institutions.
New undergraduate and graduate programs on the agenda
The parties may conduct joint work to launch undergraduate, master’s and doctoral programs. Özvar also said YÖK was ready to support the development of technical infrastructure, digitalization and information sharing.
Marwan al-Halebi thanked Türkiye for its support for Syria’s education system and its contributions to developing cooperation. The meeting also addressed the establishment of joint working groups to carry out work between YÖK and the Syrian ministry in different fields.
University’s legal and academic framework to be prepared
The memorandum of understanding reflects Türkiye and Syria’s commitment to strengthening cooperation in higher education, scientific research, innovation and academic exchanges. Work will be carried out on the legal foundation, governance system, academic structure, student admission rules, quality assurance mechanisms and administrative organization of the planned Syrian-Turkish University in Damascus.
After the legal and institutional documents are completed, the projects will be submitted for evaluation by the relevant authorized institutions. The university’s definitive establishment will depend on the signing of subsequent bilateral agreements and the completion of the necessary legal procedures in both countries.
Scholarship and diploma recognition arrangements planned
The agreement on higher education and scientific research aims to strengthen coordination among universities and education and research institutions in Türkiye and Syria. The text provides for the development of technology-focused education programs, support for digital infrastructure and the implementation of joint scientific research projects.
- Providing reciprocal scholarships and quotas for students
- Mutual recognition of academic degrees and diplomas
- Facilitating transfers by Syrian students between universities
- Expanding exchange programs for faculty members and students
- Opening joint programs at the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels
- Cooperating in education quality and accreditation
The parties also plan to hold the Turkish-Syrian Universities Forum each year, alternately in Türkiye or Syria. The possibility of implementing a sister universities program and joint work for the planned Syrian-Turkish University in Damascus will also be evaluated.
