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Evidence-based fact finding
Systematic literature and legal analysis, online surveys, focus groups and interviews create a robust understanding of reform needs.
DAAD-funded pilot project
Strengthening Syrian higher education through evidence, dialogue and academic cooperation.
SyrIA supports the sustainable renewal and international connectivity of Syria’s higher education system through fact finding, practice-oriented training, strategic dialogue, coaching, digital tools and professional project management.
Implemented by
Funded by
SyrIA in Damascus
SyrIA strengthens direct cooperation with Syrian higher education
A two-day mission in Damascus brought university leadership, innovation actors and the Ministry together around a shared roadmap for future cooperation.
SyrIA Dialogue Mission to Damascus
On 5–6 July 2026, a high-level GJU delegation conducted a two-day SyrIA mission to Damascus, strengthening the project’s direct cooperation with Syrian higher education institutions.
The programme combined strategic dialogue with the presidents of Syrian public universities, visits to innovation centres at Damascus University, and high-level discussions with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. The mission concluded with an agreed roadmap for capacity building, institutional development and future academic cooperation.
Call for Expressions of Interest
Trainers and Workshop Facilitators for the SyrIA Project
The German Jordanian University (GJU) is currently establishing a pool of qualified trainers, facilitators and higher education experts for the project.
“SyrIA – Syrian Innovation in Academia”
Within the framework of the project, a series of workshops and training sessions for academic and administrative staff of Syrian universities will be implemented during 2026–2027.
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New publication
Syrian Higher Education in Transition
SyrIA Fact-Finding Mission to Syrian Public Universities, May 2026.
Initial findings from the SyrIA fact-finding mission
This booklet presents preliminary insights from the SyrIA fact-finding mission to Syrian public universities and provides an initial foundation for continued dialogue, capacity development, and international partnership. The full analytical report will follow later within the project framework.
Project launch milestone
Jordanian–Syrian Dialogue Forum marks the launch of the SyrIA project at GJU
The German Jordanian University hosted the Jordanian–Syrian Dialogue Forum for the Development of Higher Education on 3 and 4 May 2026.
High-level dialogue on the development of Syrian higher education
The forum marked the public launch of a structured Jordanian–Syrian–German dialogue on higher education reform, bringing together ministries, university leadership, DAAD, the German Embassy, GJU, and partner institutions around a shared agenda for academic recovery, cooperation, and institutional renewal.
Across the public session and the following working meetings, participants discussed the Alliance for Syrian Higher Education, the SyrIA project roadmap, the planned fact-finding mission, and concrete next steps for capacity building and academic cooperation.
Project overview
From needs assessment to sustainable reform support
SyrIA combines empirical analysis with capacity building and structured policy dialogue to support the modernization of Syrian higher education during a phase of transformation.
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Practice-oriented training
Workshops and training formats address needs in curriculum development, teaching, quality assurance, digitalization and internationalization.
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Strategic dialogue
Dialogue events bring university leaders, ministries and international partners together to discuss reform priorities and cooperation.
At a glance
Project facts
The pilot project is anchored at GJU and implemented with German institutional cooperation and Syrian higher education stakeholders.
2026Project start
2027Project end
6Core measures
400Planned training participants
Core activities
A structured programme for impact
Each activity builds on the previous phase and contributes to a long-term knowledge and data foundation for follow-up projects.
M/A1 Fact Finding & Quality Assurance
Empirical assessment of needs, reform dynamics and implementation realities.
M/A2 Workshops & Trainings
Interactive blended learning formats for faculty, deans and administrative staff.
M/A3 Dialogue Events
High-level exchanges on higher education policy and strategic reform topics.
M/A4 Coaching & Mentoring
Follow-up support to transfer outcomes into institutional practice and action plans.
M/A5 Digitalization
Digital preparation, documentation and quality assurance through online tools.
M/A6 Management & Dissemination
Coordination, reporting, open access publication and communication of results.
Latest
News and updates
Latest news, key developments and upcoming activities from the SyrIA project, listed with the newest items first.
5–6 July 2026SyrIA Dialogue Mission to Damascus
The two-day mission brought together Syrian university presidents, innovation actors and the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, concluding with an agreed roadmap for capacity building and academic cooperation.
Read full article
26 June 2026SyrIA participates in DAAD Brussels event on strengthening Syrian higher education
Representatives of the SyrIA project participated in the DAAD event in Brussels on national, regional and EU funding programmes to strengthen Syrian academic capacities and resilience. The exchange focused on coordinated support, Syrian-led priorities, institutional capacity building and sustainable partnerships.
June 2026SyrIA publishes fact-finding mission booklet
In order to create an evidence-based foundation for further activities, the SyrIA project conducted a fact-finding mission to eight physical Syrian public universities from 9 to 22 May 2026. The booklet presents preliminary insights from this qualitative fact-finding phase.
Read and download
May 2026Jordanian–Syrian Dialogue Forum for the Development of Higher Education held at GJU under the SyrIA Project
The German Jordanian University hosted the Jordanian–Syrian Dialogue Forum for the Development of Higher Education on 3 and 4 May 2026 as part of the Syrian Innovation in Academia (SyrIA) project. The forum brought together high-level representatives from the Jordanian and Syrian higher education sectors, including university presidents, ministry officials, DAAD representatives, the German Embassy in Amman, and partner institutions from Germany and Syria.
Read full article
April 2026Signing of the SyrIA project agreement between GJU and DAAD
The signing of the SyrIA project agreement marked the formal start of the project and laid the foundation for its implementation from March 2026 to December 2027.
Read full article
1 March 2026Preparatory discussion with the Syrian Deputy Minister
As part of the preparatory phase of the SyrIA project, a discussion was held with the Syrian Deputy Minister to exchange on priorities for Syrian higher education and to prepare the dialogue and fact-finding activities that followed.
Timeline
Planned implementation
Key milestones are presented in chronological order from the project launch phase through implementation, dissemination and final consolidation.
01/03/2026
Preparatory discussion with the Syrian Deputy Minister
Exchange on priorities for Syrian higher education and preparation of the project’s dialogue and fact-finding activities.
03–06/2026
Fact finding and report preparation
Empirical needs assessment, interviews, observations and preparation of the analytical report.
06/2026
Publication of fact-finding mission booklet
Release of the preliminary booklet Syrian Higher Education in Transition, presenting initial findings from the mission to Syrian public universities.
03/05/2026
Public Jordanian–Syrian Dialogue Forum
Formal public afternoon programme at the German Jordanian University in Madaba.
26/06/2026
DAAD event in Brussels
SyrIA participated in a DAAD event on national, regional and EU funding programmes to strengthen Syrian academic capacities and resilience.
05–06/07/2026
Dialogue mission in Damascus
Strategic dialogue with Syrian university presidents, visits to university innovation centres, and high-level discussions with the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
07/2026
Stakeholder event in Amman
Discussion of findings, cooperation opportunities and next steps with regional and international stakeholders.
09/2026–10/2027
Workshops, trainings and dialogue events
Implementation of the core capacity-building and structured exchange activities.
11/2026
First project conference
Presentation of interim findings and discussion of recommendations for the next project phase.
01–11/2027
Coaching and mentoring
Follow-up support for participants to transfer project outcomes into institutional practice.
11/2027
Second project conference
Presentation and consolidation of evaluated project results, recommendations and follow-up perspectives.