By Dr.Sulaiman Mouselli, Dean of Faculty of Business Administration, AIU. Lecturer at Faculty of Economics, Damascus University.

1. The Role of Higher Education in
Crisis Contexts: Syria
Dr.Sulaiman Mouselli, Dean of Faculty of Business Administration, AIU.
Lecturer at Faculty of Economics, Damascus University.

2. Presentation Outline
2
 Current statusof Higher Education in Syria
 Thecontribution of EACEA in Syrian Higher Education during
crisis
 Opportunitiesand needsof Syrian Higher Education Institutions
 Areasfor urgent intervention

3. Current Status of Higher Education in
Syria
3
7 Public Universities+1 Virtual Uni
Branches of Public Universities
20 Private active Universities
4 Private non-active Universities

4. Current Status of Higher Education in
Syria
4
Teaching:
Closureof 1 public university & itsbranchesfor 5 years(2013-2018) and
relocation of privateuniversities.
Overcrowding classroomsin safecitiesin Lab & Practical lessons:
outdated labs
Brain drain of academic staff: low incomeand instability  Not allowed
to takeleaveor work abroad (Until 2016: 43.43% at DU & 45.48% at AU)
No special programsto qualify HEIsacademic staff
Outdated teaching methods& lack of digital skills: low attendance
ratein theoretical classes(Inc., Medicine)
DU world ranking is154 in Arab W, 341 in ME and 4526 in World

5. Current Status of Higher Education in
Syria
5
Research:
Bureaucracy and lack of funding arehindering research
activities.
Moreattention isdirected towardsproviding e-resourcesto
researchersdespitebeing costly.
Changesin motivesto pursuepostgraduatestudies: avoid or
postponedoing military service.
Moreadministrativework for academic staff & postgraduate
students(invigilation) and lesstimefor research.
No. publicationsin international journalsismodest (Rank:102
according to SJR)

6. Current Status of Higher Education in
Syria
6
Innovation:
Weak linkageswith businessand industry  limited innovation
& entrepreneurship activitiesand marginal roleof HEIsin society.
No incubatorsor businessparksin Syrian HEIs.
Entrepreneurial modulesarenot common in HEIs.
No. of registered patentsareamong thelowest in theregion.
(133 for Syriavs.428 for Jordan: 2006)

7. The Contribution of EACEA in Syrian
Higher Education during Crisis
7
Ministry of Higher Education welcomesand encouragesHEIs
participation in EU projects:
Many proposalsaresubmitted to Capacity Building in Higher
Education CBHE (KA2): Only ONE project isco-funded (12:1
2016) whileLibya(3:1)
Syrian HEIsarepartnersin many ICMs(KA107) and (KA105)
Syrian HEI submitted applicationsfor Jean Monnet Module
Syrian HEIssubmitted applicationsfor Hopes-Madad Fund
Syrian HEI participated in H2020 proposal

8. Opportunities and Needs of Syrian
Higher Education Institutions
8
Implemented CBHE projectsaresuccessstoriesand had
sustainableimpact (e.g., MATRE & T-Meda)
War period in Syriarepresentsyearsof wasteopportunitiesfor
HE system and institutions. To catch up:
 Higher funding ratefor excellent proposals(Category I) in
CBHE (KA2) and other actions.
 Special window for Syriain futurecallsand moreattention to
National projects.
Attention to most affected segmentsof Syrian HE (quality).

9. Opportunities and Needs of Syrian
Higher Education Institutions
9
EngageSyrian HEIsin thedesign and delivery of programs
targeting refugeesto enhancetheir capacities
Moreactivitiesto becarried out by NE officein Syriaand
neighboring countriestargeting Syrian HEIs
Encouragetheinclusion of Syrian HEIsin Hopes-Madad Fund
projects
Thepossibility of expanding ICM (KA107) to cover full degree
especially on theMaster level

10. Areas for urgent Intervention
10
Projectsthat boost HEIsacademic staff teaching methods&
digital skills
Projectsthat strengthen linkagesbetween HEIsand businessand
industry
Projectsthat integrateIDPin higher education
Projectsthat contributetowardsthere-construction efforts
Projectsthat treat thecausesof violent conflict
Projectsthat addresswar spiritual and economic consequences.

11. Dr. Sulaiman Mouselli
Dean of the Faculty of Business Administration
Directorof International Relations
Arab International University
Email: s-mousele@aiu.edu.sy
Thanks forListening