Damascus, April 14 (SANA) – Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi discussed Tuesday with Jean-Baptiste Faivre, Chargé d’Affaires at the French Embassy in Damascus, ways to resume academic and scientific cooperation between the two countries.
During a meeting held at the ministry in Damascus, the two sides explored the possibility of launching joint programs to support education in Syria, as well as benefiting from French experience in higher education and scientific research.
Discussions also addressed scholarship opportunities, exchange of expertise, and cooperation between Syrian and French universities, including the possibility of granting accredited degrees through joint academic agreements.
Al-Halabi noted that the ministry has developed a roadmap for scientific research, highlighting the importance of strengthening research institutions and benefiting from France’s experience in this field. He added that cooperation between the two countries had been strong for decades and that the French language continues to be taught in Syrian schools.
The minister also stressed the importance of revitalizing technical education and expanding digital transformation in universities, as well as enhancing participation in scientific conferences and exchanging academic publications.
For his part, the French chargé d’affaires affirmed France’s readiness to support Syria in the field of higher education through expertise exchange, academic training programs and the promotion of French language education, particularly at language institutes.
The meeting comes as part of efforts by the Ministry of Higher Education to reactivate international academic partnerships that were suspended after 2011 and restore long-standing scientific cooperation between Syria and France.
Kh.A
