The evolution of the Syrian higher education sector

By Oudai Tozan

Photo Credit: Marwan Hilal (https://www.pinterest.co.uk/marwanhi101/)

The Higher Education (HE) sector in Syria was established more than 100 years ago, with the first public university in the Arabic world. During these past 100 years, Syria has witnessed huge shifts in its political and social spheres which has been reflected in the sector's governance. This paper reviews the evolution of the HE sector in Syria in light of these political and social shifts, particularly its political and social agendas. The paper argues that four critical stages in Syria's history are important to understanding the evolution of the sector. Stage one – between 1918 and 1958 – was post-independence; stage two – 1958 and 2000 – was defined by socialism; stage three – 2000 and 2011 – neo-liberalism, and finally stage four between 2011 and the present time defined by the conflict. During these stages, the sector has moved from being a tool of independence to being a tool of political domination and indoctrination, a tool of neo-liberalism and finally, a tool of war.

To read more: https://doi.org/10.1080/14767724.2023.2265854

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