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The Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research affirmed that it is closely following up on the issue of Turkish university campuses operating within Syrian territories in the northern regions, to ensure continued education and fairness for all students.
The statement comes amid growing concerns over the legal status and accreditation of Turkish university branches operating in northern Syria, which has raised uncertainty among students about the recognition of their degrees.
In a statement on Sunday, the ministry explained that it had sent several requests to these branches to regulate their operations, protect students’ rights, and ensure the continuation of the educational process within the approved legal frameworks.
The ministry added that, despite repeated follow-ups, the universities’ administrations have yet to provide the required documents or any official response.
The ministry reaffirmed its constant commitment to protecting students’ interests and securing their academic future.
It noted that it is closely following up on the issue to reach solutions that ensure the continuity of education and fairness for all students enrolled in these institutions.
In recent years, Türkiye has established several branches of its universities in northern Syria.
In 2021, a presidential decree authorized the opening of a Faculty of Medicine and a Higher Institute for Health Services in the town of al-Rai, northeast of Aleppo.
Earlier, in 2019, Türkiye inaugurated branches of Gaziantep University—including the Faculty of Administrative and Economic Sciences in al-Bab, the Faculty of Education in Afrin, and the Faculty of Islamic Sciences in Azaz—as well as several vocational institutes in the city of Jarabulus, in eastern Aleppo countryside.
As part of Turkish-Syrian cooperation in higher education, Mardin University in southeastern Türkiye signed cooperation agreements in 2021 with the Free Aleppo University in northern Syria.
It is worth noting that in February, the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education issued an updated list of accredited public and private universities and higher institutes recognized within the country.
The list includes 10 educational institutions operating in northern Syria: Al-Maali University, Al-Sham University, the International University for Science and Renaissance, Basaksehir University, Aram University for Science, Al-Ruwad University for Science and Technology, Al-Zahraa University, the Syrian University for Science and Technology, Al-Zaytouna University, and Amanos University.
The classification aims to unify academic accreditation standards and ensure the recognition of degrees awarded to Syrian students.
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