The Syrian Future Movement, represented by its Scientific Office, is closely following the People’s Assembly’s approval of its new internal regulations, including the establishment of the Higher Education and Scientific Research Committee. Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Marwan al-Halabi, described this step as “an institutional move that strengthens the focus on the academic sector and solidifies the partnership between the legislative and executive branches in developing the higher education system in Syria.”
Article 57 of the People’s Assembly’s internal regulations stipulates that the committee is responsible for studying draft laws and proposals related to higher education and scientific research, including legislation regulating universities and educational and research institutions, ensuring their academic independence and scientific freedom in accordance with the law.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the establishment of this committee carries three key implications:
First, it embodies an institutional recognition of the importance of higher education and scientific research as a fundamental pillar for building the new state, and the need for specialized legislative and oversight of this system, which is no less important than executive oversight.
Second: It indicates a shift in the relationship between the legislative and executive branches, from a traditional relationship to an active partnership in shaping higher education policies.
The establishment of the committee provides an institutional framework for dialogue and coordination between the Ministry and the People’s Assembly, thus enhancing the chances of enacting balanced legislation that considers national interests and academic needs.
Third: It prioritizes the issue of university autonomy and academic freedom, as explicitly stipulated in Article 57.
The Syrian Future Movement sees this approach as an indication of a growing awareness that scientific advancement cannot be achieved under centralized academic decision-making. Rather, it requires a legislative environment that protects educational institutions from non-academic interference and grants them sufficient space for creativity and excellence.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the establishment of the committee, despite its importance, is not without challenges that require addressing, while simultaneously opening up opportunities that should be capitalized upon:
- The challenge of translating texts into reality: The establishment of the committee will remain merely symbolic unless it is accompanied by effective working mechanisms, serious engagement from its members with higher education issues, and political will to support its recommendations.
- The Challenge of Legislative Priority: This step coincides with discussions on the Universities Organization Law and a package of legislation governing higher education and scientific research. We believe the committee’s success will be measured by its ability to finalize these laws within a reasonable timeframe and with a quality that ensures the achievement of the desired objectives.
- An Opportunity for Comprehensive Reform: The existence of a specialized committee provides a platform for societal dialogue on the future of higher education and offers an opportunity to involve academics, experts, and students in formulating policies and legislation.
- An Opportunity to Enhance Scientific Research: The committee can prioritize scientific research and work to enact legislation that stimulates innovation, supports researchers, and links research outputs to development needs.
Based on its scientific and national responsibility to monitor the progress of state-building and the strengthening of its institutions, the Syrian Future Movement recommends the following:
- Expediting the enactment of the Universities Organization Law as a top priority, while ensuring that the law is modern, guarantees university independence and academic freedom, and promotes quality, transparency, and accountability.
- Engaging academics and experts in the committee’s work by utilizing their expertise in drafting legislation and hosting extensive hearings and discussions on draft laws.
- Developing a national plan for advancing scientific research, including increased funding, stimulating partnerships with the private sector and international institutions, and linking scientific research to development and reconstruction needs.
- Enhancing transparency in the committee’s work by publishing periodic reports on its activities and recommendations, and providing the academic community with the opportunity to monitor and evaluate its work.
- Drawing on successful international experiences in higher education legislation, while taking into account Syrian specificities and national needs.
The Syrian Future Movement reiterates its welcome of this step, which strengthens the path of academic reform in Syria and establishes the foundations for a genuine partnership between the legislative and executive branches in developing the higher education sector.
We emphasize that the establishment of the committee is the beginning of a journey, not its end, and that its success depends on serious work, continuous follow-up, and a will for change.
The Syrian Future Movement also affirms that scientific advancement is the cornerstone for building the new Syria, and that investing in education and scientific research is the surest investment in the country’s future. The Syrian Future Movement will remain supportive of everything that enhances the quality of education and the independence of universities, critical of everything that hinders the academic reform process, and monitoring everything that is accomplished on the ground, striving for a new Syria in which science and scientists are at the forefront of attention.
