Higher education in Syria: Protecting academia amid civil war

The Shirazi Foundation attended an event hosted by Brookings Institution titled Higher education in Syria: Protecting academia amid civil war. Experts began to explore the frequently overlooked impact of the Syrian crisis, and the broader political and security implications on higher education in conflict settings. Experts also spoke of the many challenges for teachers, professors and educators working in the numerous camps in an attempt to provide quality sustainable education, while the teachers are  constantly working elongated hours and double shifts due to camps containing refugees from different parts of the Middle East. Experts also evaluated who would be the right entity to connect the dots within that region that is capable of bringing together the many education organizations. Experts also provided data on the higher education students (public and private universities, open education, and virtual university) in the Middle East in the last five years. Experts also mentioned that although there are small programs put in place and located in the camps one must keep in mind that about two million children are not in school due to the armed conflict and crisis.