The Syrian Future Movement is closely following developments related to the higher education sector in Syria, particularly following the historic decision to merge the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas with the University of Aleppo, announced by the Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research on August 18, 2025. We view this merger as a decisive strategic step that strengthens the unity of Syrian academic institutions, unifies national efforts toward developing higher education, and reflects the transitional government’s commitment to building a unified state that guarantees equal opportunities for all Syrians, regardless of their geographic or political backgrounds.
However, we, in the Syrian Future Movement, express our concern about the strike announced by university employees on September 1, 2025, in protest of the delayed payment of their financial dues and the failure to resolve their administrative status. We believe that the legitimate demands of these employees, including the accreditation of their staff within the Ministry of Higher Education, the payment of their financial arrears, and consideration of their wishes to return to work or transfer, require an immediate and transparent response from the relevant authorities.
The Syrian Future Movement supports demands to reduce university fees to ease the burden on students. We support the Minister’s call to visit the university to listen directly to their concerns, while ensuring the rights of students and teaching staff without delay.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that this strike comes at a sensitive transitional time, reflecting the challenges of integrating the institutions of the revolution into the new national structure and highlighting the need for clear mechanisms to resolve financial and administrative issues.
The Syrian Future Movement, which was born out of the Syrian revolution and carries a vision for building a unified national future, calls for constructive dialogue between all parties to avoid any disruption to the educational process, especially as the new academic year approaches.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that recent regulatory reforms, including the regulation of student status in Aleppo and Idlib and the abolition of previous anti-corruption privileges, represent positive steps toward a fair and transparent education system. However, they must be accompanied by the protection of the rights of staff and students.
We, in the Syrian Future Movement, call on the Ministry of Higher Education to form an emergency committee to address financial and administrative demands and ensure the continued disbursement of dues, while adhering to the principles of transparency and equality. We also urge activists and stakeholders, whether those who support the demands or those who fear the disruption of education, to unite around the nation’s supreme interest, avoiding polarization. Syria’s future depends on a strong education system that unites us, not divides us.
The Syrian Future Movement is committed to supporting all efforts that promote national unity and social justice, and we will continue to closely monitor this issue to ensure everyone’s interests are met.
