Syria, Libya to enhance academic and research cooperation

Damascus, (ST) – Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Bassam Ibrahim held a meeting yesterday with a Libyan parliamentary delegation led by Youssef Ibrahim Al-Aqouri, Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Libyan Parliament, and the accompanying delegation. The two sides discussed means of developing and strengthening academic and research cooperation between the two countries.

Ibrahim stressed the importance of scientific and research cooperation with Libya and working to renew the joint scientific program that was signed in 2010, through the exchange of scholarships for students and professors, and through participation in scientific conferences, research and peer- reviewed journals and publications, which is considered one of the most important indicators and basic standards in improving the classification of universities.

Minister Ibrahim gave an extensive explanation of higher education in Syria, its patterns, and the role of educational hospitals in providing educational, diagnostic, and therapeutic services to citizens. He indicated that there are about 7,000 faculty members within Syrian universities, stressing the importance of signing twinship agreements between Syrian and Libyan universities and benefiting from the scientific capabilities available in the two countries focusing on specific scientific specializations and paying attention to technical and vocational education.

In turn, Al-Aqouri pointed out that good education produces good medicine and great technical and scientific development. He indicated that Syria has a pioneering experience in the field of higher education, as this sector was able to withstand despite the conditions of war and it is now recovering.

He stressed the interest of the Libyan side in sending students to Syrian universities and scientific exchange with regard to professors benefiting from the experience of the Syrian Virtual University and cooperation in the topics of joint scientific weeks, cultural and scientific activities, as well as cooperation between research and specialized centers, scientific and higher education bodies.

He also stressed the importance of concluding a twinship agreement between the university of Benghazi, which is one of the largest and most important Libyan universities, and the University of Damascus.

Raghda Sawas