Interim Govt. marginalizes scientific cadres, neglects importance of research

More than a year after the interim government authorities dismissed over 10,000 scientific research employees in Syria, deprived them of their salaries and social security benefits, and barred them from resigning, travel bans have now been imposed on them.

A research employee a university professor holding the highest academic degrees from European countries who preferred to remain anonymous out of fear for his life, told ANHA agency: “In scientific research institutions, we represent the best educational cadres, selected after secondary school. Most employees hold more than one academic degree from some of the most prestigious universities.”

He added: “We used to work in line with the state’s general orientations across all specializations that serve the country. After the fall of the regime and the destruction of scientific research institutions, we were suspended from work and travel bans were placed on our names at border crossings. Notably, these bans were lifted for all Syrians even criminals yet they remain in place for us in scientific research, despite the fact that we are civilian employees.”

The professor pointed out that recruitment into scientific research was not based on favoritism, but rather on achieving the highest grades in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. This field, he said, brings together the elite of Syria’s most qualified professionals. “Despite this, we were dismissed from our jobs, deprived of salaries, and most importantly banned from traveling.”

He continued: “More than a year after the fall of the regime, our situation remains unknown. Is it reasonable for a Syrian citizen to be left under de facto house arrest in his own country, deprived of travel and salary, and even denied a certificate stating that he is unemployed, which would allow us to work at universities or in other jobs? What is our crime, when we are civilian employees?”

For her part, a female research employee, who also preferred to remain anonymous, confirmed that these prominent scientific figures are being targeted by individuals within the transitional government who are unqualified, lack university degrees, and fail to understand the importance of scientific research. She stressed that they do not realize that the primary purpose of scientific research is to develop all aspects of life health, industry, services, and more.

She warned that leaving these experts without even their basic rights will push them to seek any job or opportunity, leading to their exploitation by foreign countries, as they constitute a national scientific asset.

She questioned the reasons behind dissolving this scientific institution and punishing its cadres by besieging them and depriving them of salaries, pensions, travel rights, and even certificates of unemployment. She said: “How can travel bans be lifted for criminals while imposed on the country’s scientific minds? If you do not want us, then let us emigrate many countries respect our scientific standing.”

Observers note that countries around the world are keen to support scientific research institutions and provide them with full care, as they are the intellectual engines for solving national problems and represent a country’s true scientific wealth. In contrast, in Syria, the interim government has dismissed these cadres and excluded them from public life.

ANHA