The Scientific Bureau of the Syrian Future Movement is closely following the positive developments in the higher education sector in Syria, especially in light of the country’s transitional phase toward building a fair and transparent education system that reflects the aspirations of the Syrian people.
In this context, we welcome the new regulatory decisions issued by the Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research on August 19, 2025, which represent a bold step toward radical reform that addresses the legacy of corruption and discrimination left behind by the former regime.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that adopting a centralized, unified, digital admissions system for doctoral programs, based on criteria of merit and academic success, enhances the principles of transparency and fairness in higher education. Furthermore, the one-time abolition of the international publication requirement this year represents a realistic measure that takes into account the economic and infrastructure challenges facing Syrian researchers, opening the door to a new generation of scholars without artificial administrative barriers.
However, we call for the establishment of long-term mechanisms to promote international scientific publishing, including support programs for researchers and partnerships with international academic institutions, to ensure that the quality of scientific research in Syria rises to international standards.
The Syrian Future Movement considers the regulation of student status at universities in Idlib and Aleppo, through the implementation of similar transfer and change of registration rules starting with the 2025-2026 academic year, a significant achievement that strengthens national unity and ensures equal opportunities for all Syrian students.
We believe this measure will contribute to the reintegration of areas liberated before full liberation into the national educational fabric, thus addressing the divisions imposed by years of conflict.
At the same time, we emphasize the importance of providing logistical and training support to academic staff in these areas to ensure a smooth transfer process and align curricula with national standards.
The Syrian Future Movement considers the abolition of previous special preferences, including those for the children of martyrs, wounded, and missing persons, the direct admission of children of holders of the Order of the Republic, and the special preference for expatriate students of Syrian origin, a crucial step in combating the corruption that was practiced under the cover of these practices during the era of the deposed regime. While these decisions reflect a commitment to the principle of equality before the law and equal opportunities, we warn that eliminating these discriminations without providing supportive alternatives could negatively impact social groups affected by the war. Therefore, we call for the establishment of scholarship and financial support programs dedicated to the children of martyrs and wounded, in cooperation with international organizations, to ensure they are not excluded from the educational process.
The Syrian Future Movement considers the merger of the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas with the University of Aleppo as a strategic step that strengthens the unity of academic institutions and unifies efforts toward developing higher education.
The adoption of a centralized and unified academic calendar for private universities, along with extending the academic accreditation period for non-compliant universities by an additional six months, reflects a balanced approach that combines reform and flexibility, enabling private universities to meet the necessary requirements without disrupting the educational process.
The Scientific Bureau of the Syrian Future Movement emphasizes that these reforms represent a promising start to building an education system based on efficiency and transparency, contributing to the scientific and cultural reconstruction of Syria. However, we call for expanding these efforts to include rehabilitating university infrastructure, attracting migrant academics, and strengthening international partnerships with organizations such as UNESCO to provide the necessary funding and expertise. Believing that Syria’s future depends on an educated and scientifically qualified generation, we will continue to support all efforts that serve this goal.
