The Syrian Future Movement follows with great interest and appreciation the announcement issued by the Presidency of the Republic on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. This announcement details the issuance of Decree No. 183 of 2026 by the Head of the Transitional Phase, Mr. Ahmed Al-Sharaa, establishing the “National Advanced Technology Track” under the supervision of the Ministries of Education and Higher Education, and in coordination with other relevant ministries.
The Syrian Future Movement views this decree as a significant strategic step toward educational reform and the construction of a knowledge-based economy. It establishes an integrated educational pathway—spanning from the secondary level through to applied and research-oriented university education—aimed at cultivating highly qualified national talent in advanced technology and innovation, while aligning these skills with the specific needs of the labor market.
The Movement considers the introduction of early specialization into the education system—through the creation of “Advanced Technology Schools” and “Advanced Technology Colleges”—to represent a fundamental shift in the philosophy of Syrian education: moving from theoretical rote learning to applied specialization, and from graduating large numbers of students to producing high-quality, skilled professionals.
The Syrian Future Movement notes that the decree comprises two main components:
The first involves the establishment of specialized secondary-level institutions known as “Advanced Technology Schools.” These schools admit students at the beginning of the secondary stage based on a national entrance exam and fair, transparent academic criteria. The curriculum covers two specializations: “Digital Advanced Technology” and “Industrial Advanced Technology.” The second aspect involves establishing a dedicated university track for holders of this specialized secondary school diploma within public universities—specifically in faculties designated as “Colleges of Advanced Technology”—by decree of the Higher Education Council. This would create an integrated academic, research, and applied pathway.
The Syrian Future Movement views this integration between the secondary and university stages as a cornerstone for building a specialized educational system capable of supplying the Syrian labor market with advanced technical talent. This aligns with the Movement’s vision—articulated in its statement titled “Opening of ‘Tech Town’ in Damascus” (dated July 14, 2026)—which emphasized that “building an advanced knowledge-based economy capable of attracting young talent and creating job opportunities—mirroring the experiences of nations that have made technology and innovation the axis of their development—is the only way to secure Syria’s future.”
However, the Syrian Future Movement believes that the success of this ambitious pathway hinges on addressing a set of fundamental challenges that cannot be overlooked:
First, the Syrian Future Movement points out that the success of this track requires an advanced digital infrastructure, which is currently lacking.
According to the “Digital 2026” report, 64.2% of the population remains offline, while internet penetration stands at only 35.8%—less than half the global average.
In this context, the Syrian Future Movement asks: How can advanced technology professionals be trained in a country where two-thirds of the population lacks internet access? Secondly, the Syrian Future Movement notes that this initiative is being proposed at a time when youth unemployment exceeds 60%, according to a report by the Syrian Development Fund for the first quarter of 2026, whereas International Labour Organization estimates place the youth unemployment rate (ages 15–24) at 33.1%.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the success of this initiative requires a direct link between its outcomes and actual job opportunities; otherwise, it risks becoming merely another credential in a market already saturated with unemployment.
Thirdly, the Syrian Future Movement recalls its previous call—issued in its “International Workers’ Day” statement on May 1, 2026—for the “launch of urgent national qualification programs to integrate the workforce,” as well as for “updating labor market data and developing comprehensive policies to support economic recovery.”
The Movement maintains that the success of the advanced technology initiative requires flexible legislation, incentives for companies that hire graduates, and genuine partnerships with the private sector, rather than simply establishing schools and colleges.
Fourthly, the Syrian Future Movement points out that cultivating highly qualified national talent without providing a stimulating work environment could accelerate “brain drain.” The Movement had previously warned of this in its statement marking “World Youth Skills Day” (July 15, 2026), emphasizing the “necessity of combating the forced emigration of Syrian talent and skilled professionals” and the importance of “providing local alternatives and a safe, stimulating professional environment that gives young people a genuine reason to stay and invest in their homeland.” The Syrian Future Movement notes that international experiences in advanced technical education offer valuable lessons that can be leveraged.
In Germany, the technical education system relies on a direct partnership between schools and companies; students spend part of their time undergoing practical training in factories, ensuring they are ready for the labor market immediately upon graduation.
Singapore features an integrated educational pathway extending from secondary school to universities of applied sciences, with a focus on artificial intelligence and digital transformation—an approach that has successfully transformed the country into one of the world’s most advanced economies.
Canada employs a “community college” model, offering short-term, advanced technical programs that are directly aligned with local industry needs.
The Syrian Future Movement believes Syria can benefit from these models, provided they are adapted to local conditions, genuine partnerships with the private sector are ensured, and curricula are linked to practical application—rather than merely establishing new educational structures.
Acting on its national responsibility, the Syrian Future Movement makes the following recommendations:
First: The launch of this educational pathway must be accompanied by a comprehensive national program to bridge the digital divide. This should include expanding high-speed internet networks to cover all governorates, providing subsidized computers to students, and lowering subscription costs—mirroring international experiences that have linked the success of technical education to the availability of infrastructure.
Second: Enacting legislation that mandates large companies and organizations operating in Syria to employ a minimum percentage… …approximately 10% of graduates from the National Advanced Technology Track, while offering tax incentives to committed companies to ensure a genuine link between education and employment.
Third: Launching a national program to train teachers in advanced technology fields—in collaboration with international universities and global technical institutions—to ensure teaching quality and keep pace with rapid technological advancements.
Fourth: Establishing a national fund to support tech startups founded by graduates of the track, and providing co-working spaces and business incubators across all governorates—not just in Damascus—consistent with the call made in the statement regarding “Tech Town.”
Fifth: Ensuring transparency in the national admission test for advanced technology schools, providing opportunities for students from all governorates and regions, and preventing the track from becoming a privilege reserved for a select few; this fosters educational equity and upholds the principle of equal opportunity.
Sixth: Conducting a periodic, independent assessment of the National Advanced Technology Track’s performance three years after its launch—involving international experts—to measure the extent to which objectives have been met and to refine curricula and programs based on actual results.
The Syrian Future Movement commends this strategic step, which embodies the new state’s commitment to building a knowledge-based economy and linking education to the labor market.
The Syrian Future Movement believes that the success of this track will not be measured by the number of schools and colleges opened, but rather by its ability to produce genuinely skilled professionals who find their place in the labor market, contribute to Syria’s renaissance, and remain in their homeland to participate in its reconstruction. The Syrian Future Movement asserts that investing in people is the surest investment in Syria’s future, and that this path—if well-designed and effectively implemented—can serve as a gateway to the knowledge-based economy that Syria and its people deserve.
