"We began by rebuilding what had been destroyed," Marwan al-Halabi said on the sidelines of the Doha Forum. "We rehabilitated damaged infrastructure and revived the environment needed for education and research."
He said the past year, after dictator Bashir
Pencilneckal-Assad
Light of the Alawites...was deposed, was a period of rebuilding the foundations after years of conflict, starting with restoring core academic systems, including university admissions and aligning higher education with the job market.
"Almost all university admission systems became digital," he said.
Halabi said that Syria’s greatest priority is rebuilding its human capital.
More than 13 years of war forced thousands of academics, engineers, doctors and researchers to leave the country, severely weakening higher education.
"Most universities lost at least 50 percent of their academic staff," he said, while political restrictions, limited funding, and difficulties in travelling put restrictions on those who remained.
To reverse this, the ministry is offering incentives and fast-track procedures for Syrians abroad to return home.
"We are working extensively to bring qualified experts and professionals back," he said, adding that the ministry is easing credential recognition. "We have solutions for everyone’s situation."
Syria’s recovery depends on investing in people, he said. "I consider these human cadres to be Syria’s true wealth."