Hacettepe University hosted a high-level higher education delegation led by Dr. Marwan Al-Halabi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Syria. The visit, which aimed to explore opportunities for developing academic and institutional cooperation, was attended by Deputy Ministers responsible for scientific affairs, student affairs, special education, planning and institutional efficiency; the Secretary of the Syrian Higher Education Council; Rector of Damascus University Prof. Dr. Moustafa Sayem El-Daher; Rector of Aleppo University Prof. Dr. Muhamad Osama Radoun; and representatives working in the fields of international cooperation, scholarships, legal affairs, administrative development, communications and foreign affairs.
In his opening remarks, Hacettepe University Rector Prof. Dr. Mehmet Cahit Güran shared his views on the University’s internationalisation vision, research-oriented structure and commitment to global academic cooperation. He highlighted the value of strong partnerships between universities in advancing scientific production, knowledge sharing and higher education.
As part of the programme, the International Relations and Protocols Office delivered a presentation providing comprehensive information on Hacettepe University’s academic structure, research infrastructure, internationalisation policies, student and academic staff mobility, and capacity for international projects.
During the visit, the parties discussed in detail potential areas of academic cooperation between universities in the two countries. Speaking on behalf of the Syrian delegation, Minister Dr. Marwan Al-Halabi emphasized the importance of developing inter-university relations from a long-term and institutional perspective. Joint postgraduate programmes, student and academic staff exchanges, cooperation in the health sciences and collaborative research projects emerged as priority areas.
The meeting also included an exchange of views on mechanisms for strengthening experience sharing among higher education institutions, increasing the number of joint scientific events and establishing sustainable academic partnerships. Both sides expressed their shared commitment to transforming the existing dialogue into concrete and institutional partnerships.
The visit is expected to contribute to reinvigorating academic relations between higher education institutions in Türkiye and Syria, developing sustainable inter-university cooperation and implementing joint scientific projects.