IGNITE Syria: Rise & Rebuild Conference – 15 February 2025
The IGNITE Syria: Rise & Rebuild conference, held on 15 February 2025, brought together experts, practitioners, and institutional leaders to address one of Syria’s most pressing development challenges: bridging the gap between higher education and the labor market in the context of recovery and reconstruction.
The conference explored the structural causes behind the disconnect between academic outcomes and market needs, while highlighting practical solutions and successful international models. In this context, Burak Arıkan, an international expert in educational systems, presented valuable insights from the Bologna Process and Turkey’s experience in aligning higher education with labor market demands. Alaa Al Azem, representing the SPARK–Hermon Team partnership, also shared the experience of the Jobs and Perspectives project, which aims to strengthen the connection between universities and employment opportunities.
A second session, titled “Bridging the Gap: Higher Education and the Labor Market in Rebuilding Syria,” featured a distinguished panel of speakers who examined the issue from multiple perspectives. Dr. Mohammad Maher Kabakeebi discussed the future of higher education and its relationship with the private sector, while education expert Ceren Genç from Utrecht University presented international best practices in education. Dr. Khalil Ajami emphasized the role of technology in modernizing educational systems, and Dr. Mohammad Mazen Al-Mshsyri, Acting CEO of MTN, highlighted the importance of private sector engagement in supporting education. Mehran Takhan, CEO of the Syrian Development Academy, addressed ways to enhance cooperation between academic institutions and employers, while Architect Maya Al-Hamoud focused on the importance of inclusive educational practices and broader support for higher education.
The conference also included a workshop dedicated to developing joint strategies for strengthening the skills and competencies required by the labor market, while promoting more inclusive and participatory educational approaches. The workshop outcomes and recommendations were presented at the closing session, reflecting a shared commitment to more responsive, market-oriented, and inclusive higher education policies.
Overall, the conference underscored the importance of stronger collaboration between higher education institutions, the private sector, and development actors. By fostering this integration, Syria can better equip its graduates for employment, support economic recovery, and contribute to long-term social stability and sustainable development.
