Syrian higher education system

🎓 The Higher Education System in the Syrian Arab Republic

1. Supervising Authority

The Syrian higher education system is overseen by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, which is responsible for setting educational policies, accrediting universities and academic programs, and coordinating scientific research.

2. Types of Higher Education Institutions

A. Public Universities

  • Funded and managed by the government.
  • Tuition-free for Syrian citizens (except for minimal administrative fees).
  • Include the country's major and historic universities:
    • University of Damascus
    • University of Aleppo
    • Tishreen University
    • Al-Baath University
    • Euphrates University
    • Technical universities and higher institutes

B. Private Universities

  • Emerged in the early 2000s.
  • Privately funded but regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education.
  • Offer a variety of programs and charge tuition fees.
  • Examples: Cordoba Private University, Arab International University, University of Kalamoon, etc.

C. Intermediate Institutes

  • Duration: 2 years after high school.
  • Provide vocational and technical training in fields like commerce, electronics, IT, and mechanics.

3. Academic Degrees

🎓 Bachelor’s Degree (Ijazah)

  • Duration: 4 to 6 years depending on the field.
  • Academic system: annual or semester-based depending on the university.
  • Open to all high school graduates based on national entrance rankings.

🎓 Master’s Degree

  • Duration: 2–3 years.
  • Includes coursework and a research component.
  • Admission is competitive and subject to certain criteria.

🎓 PhD Degree

  • Minimum duration: 3 years.
  • Requires the submission and defense of a doctoral dissertation.
  • Available for master’s degree holders with a minimum required GPA.

4. Admission Process (General Placement System)

  • Admission to public universities is based on the General Placement (Mufadala) system, which relies on high school scores (Baccalaureate).
  • Each stream (Scientific – Literary – Vocational) has its own placement track.
  • There are also:
    • Special placements for private universities.
    • Seats reserved for children of martyrs.
    • Domestic and international scholarship programs.

5. Accreditation and Degree Equivalency

  • Degrees awarded by Syrian universities (both public and private) are officially recognized inside Syria and in many Arab countries.
  • The Ministry of Higher Education ensures academic accreditation for all curricula and facilities and manages the process of equating foreign degrees.

6. Open and Virtual Learning

📚 Open Education

  • A flexible program aimed at employees and those who missed formal education.
  • Offers programs in business, media, translation, etc.

💻 Syrian Virtual University (SVU)

  • The first online university in the Arab world.
  • Fully distance-based education via internet platforms.

7. Challenges and Future Prospects

🔴 Challenges:

  • Infrastructure damage due to the conflict.
  • Brain drain of professors and academic staff.
  • Uneven quality among private institutions.

🟢 Opportunities:

  • Expanding digital and remote education.
  • Enhancing collaboration with Arab and international universities.
  • Promoting research, development, and innovation.