The Syrian Future Movement expresses its deep welcome to the fruitful meeting between the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Marwan Al-Halabi, and the Director-General of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO), Dr. Salim bin Mohammed Al-Malik, on Monday, August 18, 2025. The meeting discussed prospects for cooperation in developing higher education and scientific research in Syria.
The Syrian Future Movement views this meeting as a strategic step toward rebuilding the national academic system, which was severely damaged during the years of the blessed revolution. It reflects the new state’s commitment to restoring Syria’s leading role as a scientific and cultural center in the region.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates the ambitious vision presented by Minister Al-Halabi under the title “A New Syrian Scientific Dawn,” which focuses on reviving scientific research through international openness, developing the academic infrastructure, and strengthening the role of university incubators as a catalyst for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Syrian Future Movement appreciates ISESCO’s willingness to provide support through scholarships, training programs, and the organization of international conferences, contributing to addressing the academic decline that has exceeded 70% over the past decade due to the destruction of infrastructure and the migration of skilled workers.
The Syrian Future Movement, which views education as a fundamental pillar for building an inclusive Syria, emphasizes that this cooperation aligns with the vision it expressed in its article published on August 16, 2025, entitled “The Syrian Teacher in the Context of National Transformation,” which emphasized the importance of education in achieving sustainable development and strengthening national unity. In the article, we noted the deterioration of more than 40% of educational institutions during the war, calling for curriculum reform to reflect the values of pluralism and freedom, and the rehabilitation of teaching staff through modern training programs, with a focus on university incubators as a link between education and the labor market.
The Syrian Future Movement calls for translating this cooperation into practical steps, including:
- Updating academic curricula to meet the needs of Syrian society and the demands of the labor market, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, food security, and digital transformation.
- Supporting Syrian students abroad by expanding scholarships and providing distance learning, ensuring the recovery of national competencies.
- Strengthening university incubators by funding student projects, encouraging innovation, and activating partnerships with the private sector.
- Involving civil society and local institutions in the formulation and implementation of programs, with the necessity of establishing independent bodies to ensure transparency, monitor the quality of education, and distribute resources.
The Syrian Future Movement emphasizes the importance of this cooperation encompassing all Syrian regions without exception, strengthening national unity and contributing to overcoming the effects of war and division. Rebuilding the education system requires the combined efforts of the government, civil society, and international partners to establish a modern education system that meets the aspirations of the Syrian people.
The Syrian Future Movement renews its full commitment to supporting every initiative aimed at advancing education and scientific research, as they are the foundation for achieving social justice and sustainable development. We call on all Syrians to actively contribute to this national project to build the Syria of the future, where education is a beacon of unity and progress.
