A memorandum of understanding and a cooperation agreement covering higher education and scientific research fields were signed between the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) of Turkey and the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research regarding the establishment of the Syrian-Turkish University in Damascus, the capital of Syria.
According to a statement from YÖK, prior to the signing ceremony, delegations headed by YÖK President Prof. Dr. Erol Özvar and Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi met.
Speaking at the meeting, Özvar stated that Turkey and Syria are two friendly and brotherly countries bound by common history, culture, and civilization, and expressed his satisfaction that the relations, which have recently gained momentum, are strongly reflected in cooperation in the field of higher education.
Özvar emphasized that strong and sustainable partnerships between universities would make significant contributions to the academic world, the future of both countries, regional stability, and the strengthening of fraternal ties between peoples. He expressed his belief that the meeting would institutionalize and solidify cooperation in higher education.
Stating that Türkiye would continue to provide all kinds of support for strengthening Syria’s educational infrastructure, Özvar indicated that Turkish universities were ready for all kinds of cooperation with Syrian universities.
He mentioned that they could work together to implement joint undergraduate and postgraduate programs, and noted that the Council of Higher Education (YÖK) could also provide support in technical infrastructure, digitalization, and information sharing.
Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan al-Halabi, thanked Türkiye for its support and cooperation in strengthening Syria’s educational infrastructure.
The meeting also discussed the establishment of joint working groups between YÖK and the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in specific areas.
– PLANNED ESTABLISHMENT OF A SYRIA-TURKEY UNIVERSITY IN DAMASCUS
The signed memorandum of understanding emphasized the shared will to strengthen cooperation between Turkey and Syria in the fields of higher education, scientific research, innovation, and academic exchange, based on historical, cultural, and fraternal ties.
According to the memorandum, the parties will continue their work on the legal framework, governance structure, academic organization, student admission procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, and administrative arrangements of the planned Syria-Turkey University in Damascus.
Draft legal and institutional documents regarding the establishment of the university will be prepared and submitted to the relevant authorities.
The establishment of the university will depend on subsequent agreements between the parties and the completion of legal processes in both countries.
The cooperation agreement signed in the fields of higher education and scientific research aims to strengthen coordination between the universities and educational and research institutions of the two countries and to develop cooperation in the fields of higher education, scientific research, and technology.
The agreement includes provisions for the allocation of reciprocal scholarships and student quotas, recognition of academic degrees and diplomas, facilitation of transfers for Syrian students, development of advanced technology-focused education programs, support for the digital infrastructure of Syrian universities, encouragement of academic and student exchanges, conducting joint scientific research projects, establishing joint undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs, and cooperation in quality assurance and accreditation.
The agreement also stipulates the organization of a Turkey-Syria Universities Forum annually on a rotating basis, the evaluation of implementing a “Sister (Twin) University Program” between universities in the two countries, and joint work towards the establishment of a planned Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus.
