President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition (SOC), Hadi Al-Bahra, along with several SOC members, convened a meeting with the heads and representatives of universities affiliated with the Higher Education Council of the Syrian Interim Government. The meeting, held at the SOC’s office in the town of Azaz on Monday, included the participation of Jihad Hijazi, the Minister of Education, and the Chairman of the Higher Education Council in the Interim Government. Discussions focused on the conditions of higher education and scientific research, addressing the significant challenges within the higher education sector.
SOC members present at the meeting included Bahjat Al-Atassi, Muhammad Qaddah, Najib Rahmoun, Atef Zureiq, and Basil Ghuneim, alongside Abdel Hakim Al-Masri, the Minister of Finance and Economy.
University representatives included Abdul Aziz Al-Dughaim, President of the University of Aleppo in the liberated areas; Mustafa Darwish, President of Al-Nahda University; Yassin Jammoul, President of Al-Ma’ali University; Osama Al-Sheikh, President of Aram University; Muhammad Amin Zabadani, Vice President of Shaam University; Muhammad Al-Khader, Secretary of Basaksehir University; and Hassan Ibrahim from Amanus University.
Al-Bahra provided a comprehensive overview of the latest political developments in the Syrian file and outcomes of SOC meetings with foreign envoys involved in Syria. He emphasized the importance of increasing cooperation between executive institutions and the SOC to advance the region.
University leaders and representatives highlighted their achievements despite facing difficulties and challenges. They emphasized the continuous graduation of Syrian students in various fields, providing liberated areas with necessary expertise and qualified professionals.
Participants underscored that the Assad regime, since the start of the Syrian revolution, have sought to displace and eliminate qualified individuals, and these policies persist in areas under its control.
The needs of universities and students in liberated areas were addressed, emphasizing the necessity of establishing a university hospital to train students in medical specializations and contribute to providing services to citizens in the region.
Al-Bahra expressed gratitude to university presidents and representatives for their tireless efforts in building a promising generation contributing to the new Syria. He stressed their role and responsibility in developing specialized human resources and emphasized collaboration to secure necessary resources for the interim government, fulfilling demands to enhance higher education in the region.
(Source: SOC’s Media Department)
