Kobani University discusses its academic and administrative future

Kobani University’s administration held an expanded meeting today to discuss the latest developments and decisions concerning the university’s administrative and academic future, following recent decisions issued by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research that have raised serious concerns among students and academic staff.

The meeting, attended by several faculty members and student representatives, began with a minute of silence.

During the meeting, participants discussed several issues and decisions addressed during meetings held in Damascus, some of which had drawn objections.

Kobani University’s co-chair, Şerwan Muslim, explained that a decision had been issued requiring all universities in Syria to join the higher education system, with no university allowed to remain outside it. He noted that degrees issued by universities outside this system would not be recognized.

Muslim said the key issues discussed included dividing the university, removing some departments from it, and merging Kobani University with the University of Aleppo. He stressed: “All internal decisions will be made by the university’s own administration. However, for degrees to be recognized and in response to official demands, the university must be treated as a public university to safeguard students’ rights and academic future.”

At the end of the meeting, Şerwan Muslim made a statement to the media, outlining the following points:

“A government educational committee previously visited Kobani University, where extensive discussions were held. However, following the announcement of the equivalency results, the university’s status remained unclear. Therefore, during the most recent visit, an expanded meeting was held in Damascus with the Ministry of Higher Education, attended by representatives of the ministries responsible for education and higher education. The meeting discussed the status and structure of Kobani University and Rojava University.

“We inform our students and our people that Kobani University will be organized as a college complex affiliated with the University of Aleppo, with its own council and officials. All degrees issued by Kobani University will be recognized by the University of Aleppo. The status of all university staff, including instructors and employees, will also be clarified, and the affiliation with the University of Aleppo will cover the university as a whole rather than being limited to a single arrangement.

“Continuing students in their second, third and fourth years will continue their studies in all departments under the previous system until graduation. Students who wish to transfer to another university due to geographical changes may do so in accordance with the laws and conditions set by the Ministry of Higher Education.

“All postgraduate programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees, will continue as before until students graduate.

“The open-registration system will also remain unchanged, allowing students to continue their studies through this system, although several details concerning it will be discussed with the University of Aleppo.

“On degree equivalency, an agreement was reached during the meeting on departments whose students had been unable to benefit from the available equivalency opportunities. These departments will be announced again so that students can submit their applications and achieve their goals.”

In conclusion, Şerwan Muslim emphasized that all student demands had been accepted and that he would work to submit these demands to the Ministry of Higher Education to secure a comprehensive agreement and protect the rights of all students.

ANHA