- A memorandum of understanding was signed for the establishment of the Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus.

- The two countries have also signed a cooperation agreement covering higher education, scientific research, and technology.

- Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar: "The partnerships to be established between our universities will contribute not only to the academic community, but also to the future of our two countries, regional stability, and the strengthening of the bonds of brotherhood between our peoples."

August 6, 2026

The Council of Higher Education (CoHE) and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Syrian Arab Republic have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of the Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus, as well as a cooperation agreement covering higher education, scientific research, and technology.

Prior to the signing ceremony, delegations led by Council of Higher Education President Erol Özvar and Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan Al-Halabi held bilateral talks.

During the meeting, Özvar stated that Türkiye and Syria are two friendly and brotherly nations bound by shared history, culture, and civilization. He expressed his satisfaction that the renewed momentum in bilateral relations has also been strongly reflected in cooperation in higher education.

Emphasizing that strong and sustainable partnerships between universities would contribute not only to the academic community but also to the future of both countries, regional stability, and stronger bonds of brotherhood between their peoples, Özvar said he believes the meeting will place higher education cooperation on a permanent and institutional foundation.

He reaffirmed that Türkiye will continue to provide every possible form of support to strengthen Syria's higher education infrastructure and stated that Turkish universities are ready to cooperate with Syrian universities in every field.

Özvar also noted that the two sides could work together to establish joint undergraduate and graduate programs and added that the Council of Higher Education is prepared to provide support in areas such as technical infrastructure, digital transformation, and knowledge sharing.

Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan Al-Halabi thanked Türkiye for its support in strengthening Syria's education infrastructure and for the growing cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting also included discussions on establishing joint working groups between the Council of Higher Education and the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in specific areas of cooperation.

- Syria-Türkiye University to Be Established in Damascus

The signed Memorandum of Understanding emphasizes the shared commitment of Türkiye and Syria to strengthen cooperation in higher education, scientific research, innovation, and academic exchange, building on the historical, cultural, and brotherly ties between the two countries.

Under the memorandum, the two parties will continue their work on the legal framework, governance structure, academic organization, student admission procedures, quality assurance mechanisms, and administrative arrangements for the planned Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus. The necessary legal and institutional draft documents for the establishment of the university will be prepared and submitted to the competent authorities. The establishment of the university will be subject to subsequent agreements between the parties and the completion of the required legal procedures in both countries.

- Comprehensive Cooperation in Higher Education

The two sides also signed a broad cooperation agreement covering higher education, scientific research, and technology. The agreement aims to strengthen coordination among universities, educational institutions, and research organizations in both countries while expanding collaboration in higher education, scientific research, and technological development.

Under the agreement, cooperation will include the allocation of reciprocal scholarships and student quotas, the recognition of academic degrees and diplomas, facilitating transfer opportunities for Syrian students, the development of advanced technology-oriented academic programs, support for the digital infrastructure of Syrian universities, the promotion of academic staff and student exchanges, the implementation of joint scientific research projects, the establishment of joint bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs and cooperation in quality assurance and accreditation.

The agreement also provides for the organization of a Türkiye-Syria Universities Forum on an annual rotating basis, consideration of implementing a Sister (Twin) University Program between universities in the two countries and continued joint efforts toward establishing the Syria-Türkiye University in Damascus.