Damascus, Feb. 10 (SANA) Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi discussed on Tuesday with Acting Head of the European Union Mission to Syria Michael Ohnmacht plans and priorities to develop higher education and scientific research, including procedures to reopen the (Erasmus+) program office in Damascus.
Al-Halabi affirmed the ministry’s readiness to activate (Erasmus+) with Syrian universities and to open an office in Damascus, noting that Syria has 50 public and private universities with about 1.1 million students and 15 university hospitals providing more than 40 percent of medical services nationwide.
The ministry is working to update curricula, link education with labor market needs, strengthen applied research, prepare a registry of research needs and expand cooperation with international organizations and educational programs, including (Erasmus+).
Ohnmacht said cooperation between the EU and Syria would continue, pointing to the possibility of reopening (Erasmus+) for Syria, resuming its grants and opening a new office in Damascus as a direct coordination point with the ministry.
(Erasmus+) is the EU’s flagship funding program for education, training, youth, and sport. It supports educational programs beyond the 27 EU member states, including associated, candidate, and partner countries worldwide. The program also provides extensive educational grants and exchange programs for students, staff, trainees, and volunteers.
