Education in Syria - University Education

University Education

The Ministry of Higher Education was established in 1966 to supervise the scientific and educational institutions, such as, universities, academic councils, the Arabic Language Academy and educational hospitals. Most post-secondary education is state provided, but legislation passed in 2001 allows the establishment of some private universities and colleges. Resources for education have risen in absolute terms over the past decade, but it is difficult to match the rate of population growth. Colleges charge modest fees ($10–20 a year) if the student achieves the sufficient marks in his Baccalaureate exams. If not, the student may opt to pay higher fees ($1500–3000) to enroll. There are some private schools and colleges but their fees are much higher.

Domestic policies emphasize engineering and medicine in Syria’s universities, with less emphasis on the arts, law, and business. Most universities in Syria follow the French model of the high education, the university stages and the academic degrees are:

First stage: the License awarded after 4 years to 6 years depending on the field.

Second stage: the DEA or DESS 1–2 years postgraduate degree equivalent to the Master's degree in the American-English systems.

Third stage: the doctorate 3–5 years after the DEA or an equivalent degree.

Until recently 20 private universities have been given licenses, 14 of which have actually opened the doors and 6 to be opened soon. Private universities will have an independent academic and management structure representing the owner and will be headed by the president of the university. There will also be a university board consisting of either: chancellor, faculty or division. There are a number of private and public universities as well as few technical institutes.Some of the private and public universities are:

Private

• Maamoun University for Sciences and Technology (MUST) - Al Qamishli and Aleppo

• University of Kalamoon - Deir Atieh

• The Arab European University - in Sahnaia, Damascus - Daraa Autostrada

• Al-Jazeera University in Der Ezour

Public

• Damascus University in Damascus

• Aleppo University in Aleppo

• Al-Baath University in Homs

• Tishreen University in Lattakia

• Syrian Virtual University in Damascus

Higher technical institutes

• Higher Institute of Marine Research

• Higher Institute of Water Resource Management

• Higher Institute of Business Administration