Damascus, June 18 (SANA) Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Marwan al-Halabi, discussed on Thursday with the Turkish Ambassador to Syria, Nuh Yilmaz, cooperation in higher education, the accreditation of degrees from Turkish universities in northern Syria, and the establishment of a joint Syrian-Turkish university in Syria.
The meeting, held at the Ministry building in Damascus, addressed mechanisms for accrediting, recognizing, and equating degrees issued by Turkish universities in Syria, according to a mechanism to be agreed upon with the Turkish side.
The two sides also discussed the possibility of integrating current students at the University of Aleppo, after developing executive instructions for their integration in coordination with the Turkish Higher Education Council, and resolving this issue optimally.
Preparations were also discussed for a joint meeting with the Turkish side next July to discuss various outstanding issues, find a solution through mutual consultation regarding Turkish universities, their future, and how to improve them through bilateral consultation.
Minister al-Halabi noted that the Higher Education Council, in its last session, approved the accreditation and validation of degrees awarded to graduates of Turkish university branches in northern Syria, the recognition of Turkish university degrees, and the possibility for students to have their degrees authenticated by the University of Aleppo and to enroll in postgraduate studies.
For his part, Ambassador Yilmaz commended the steps taken by the Ministry, particularly regarding the validation and equivalence of Turkish degrees, and the ongoing efforts by both sides on this matter.
He emphasized the importance of working towards a joint solution regarding the issue of Turkish universities operating on Syrian territory, and of coordinating through appropriate channels to hold a joint meeting next July.
MZN
