Syria, Jordan Sign Scholarship Exchange for 2027-2029
The executive program creates reciprocal university places, scholarships and academic partnerships between the two countries.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Scholarships
Syria and Jordan signed an executive program for higher education and scientific research cooperation covering 2027-2029 in Damascus on the sidelines of the third session of the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council. The program provides reciprocal scholarships, academic visits and university ties.
Why it matters
The agreement formalizes education exchange between two neighboring countries through a structured reciprocal system of places and scholarships. It is designed to extend existing university partnerships and build joint scientific and technological cooperation.
The program offers Jordan 16 undergraduate places, 5 postgraduate places, 4 undergraduate medical scholarships and 5 postgraduate scholarships, while Jordan offers Syria 20 undergraduate places, 5 postgraduate places and 5 postgraduate scholarships. The annual allocation of undergraduate places will be agreed in April, and the joint fund for scientific cooperation is still to be activated.
The players
Marwan al-Halabi
Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research who signed the program on behalf of Syria.
Azmi Mahafzah
Jordanian Minister of Education and Human Resources Development who signed the program on behalf of Jordan.
The details
Syrian Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Marwan al-Halabi and Jordanian Minister of Education and Human Resources Development Azmi Mahafzah signed the program on behalf of their governments. Undergraduate places will be exchanged reciprocally in all disciplines except medical specializations, and each country will submit nominee lists in the second half of July and at the beginning of August, with final decisions within two months.
Timeline
May 2025: The Syrian-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council was established.
Monday, November 10, 2025: The executive program was signed in Damascus.
Second half of July: Postgraduate nominee lists are submitted.
Beginning of August: Undergraduate nominee lists are submitted.
April: Annual allocation of places is agreed through diplomatic channels.
Season Trajectory
The agreement is an executive output of the Syrian-Jordanian Higher Coordination Council, which was established in May 2025 and held its third session in Damascus. It extends that bilateral framework into concrete education exchange for 2027-2029.
Students interested in these places should watch for nominee submission deadlines in July and early August, as final admission decisions are issued within two months of submission. Undergraduate places apply across disciplines except medical specializations, which follow separate scholarship terms.
The takeaway
Reciprocal scholarship agreements between neighboring countries can widen access to study places when they are backed by a standing council and clear nomination timelines. Students should track the stated deadlines closely if the program applies to their field.
What happens next
The two sides will agree on the annual allocation of undergraduate places in April, and postgraduate nominee lists are due in the second half of July, followed by undergraduate nominee lists at the beginning of August.
Further reading
For more on how international study places are awarded, see our Scholarships coverage.
