Syrian-Swedish Universities Forum kicks off

Damascus, (SANA) – Syrian-Swedish Universities Forum began activities on Tuesday as part of the Tempus (Trans-European Mobility Scheme for University Studies), a European Union program.

The three-day forum aims at encouraging academic cooperation between educational and academic establishments and universities in both countries and exchanging ideas and expertise, in addition to holding training sessions.

Minister of Higher Education Ghiath Barakat said the Forum will provide opportunities for academics from both countries to cooperate and establish joint programs through Tempus or directly.

He also reviewed the development in Syrian higher education, pointing out to the standing cooperation with Tempus in the framework of Syrian-European cooperation, which resulted in several cooperation projects.

For his part, Sweden's Ambassador to Syria Niklas Kebbon said the Forum will facilitate communication between students and participants to create new partnerships and projects among universities, in addition to bolstering understanding and cooperation between the two countries.

Kebbon noted that there are several fields for cooperation with Syria in the higher education sector, particularly regarding private universities.

In turn, Director General of Sweden's International Programme Office for Education and Training Ulf Melin affirmed Sweden's desire to boost cooperation with Syrian universities, pointing out to the various projects carried out by the Office through EU-funded programs such as Tempus, Erasmus Mundus and more.

National Coordinator of Tempus in Syria Rami Ayoubi and Director of Tempus Program in Sweden Rebecca Hirovil expressed hope that this Forum will bolster communication and improve scientific and academic cooperation between Syrian and Swedish universities.

H. Sabbagh