A full house, bold ideas, and a shared commitment to rebuilding Syria’s future – IGNITE Syria: Rise & Rebuild delivered a day of dialogue and action. Held on February 15, 2025, in Damascus, the event gathered over 200 stakeholders, from ministers and NGOs to donors, incubators, and universities, all focused on shaping a competitive and sustainable labour market through higher education and entrepreneurship.

Opening speeches
The event opened with a speech by Christel Bultman, CEO of SPARK, who addressed the audience remotely, reaffirming SPARK’s dedication to supporting Syrians through education and employment opportunities. She emphasised, “Our aim has been to provide Syrians with decent job opportunities and the necessary resources to pursue their education. We are proud to witness incredible success stories of Syrians in exile who have demonstrated their talent, resilience, and determination—not as a people who accept dependency, but as a nation that strives for self-sufficiency and progress.”

Following her address, Firas Deeb, Executive Director at Hermon Team, took the stage to highlight the organisation’s work in fostering sustainable development and economic empowerment in Syria. Akram Zeidan, a business development consultant, also delivered a speech analysing the current economic landscape in Syria, setting the stage for the day’s discussions on reconstruction and economic revitalisation.

Global best practices for reconstruction
In a special segment titled “Practical Experience from the Bologna Process and Türkiye’s Experience in Bridging the Gap Between Education and the Labor Market”, Burak Arikan, an international expert in educational systems, presented insights on global best practices that could be adapted to Syria’s reconstruction efforts. His talk provided valuable lessons from international case studies, particularly emphasising the importance of integrating labour market needs into higher education reforms.

Closing the gap: higher education and the labour market in Syria’s reconstruction
A key panel discussion explored the gap between higher education outcomes and labor market demands under reconstruction conditions. Speakers examined critical questions such as:

• How can university curricula be aligned with Syria’s current economic needs?
• What role does the Ministry of Higher Education play in ensuring students are workforce-ready?
• How can universities contribute to fostering entrepreneurship?
• What does the future of higher education and private-sector collaboration look like?

The panel featured Dr. Mohammad Maher Kabakeebi, a professor at the University of Damascus; Ceren Genc, an expert in international higher education from Utrecht University; Dr. Khalil Ajami, a leader in digital transformation and higher education policy; Dr. Mohammad Mazen Al-Mahayri, Acting CEO of MTN Syria; Mahran Takhan, an accounting and finance expert; and Maya Al Hammoud, an architect and advocate for youth engagement in rebuilding efforts. Their discussion underscored the importance of inclusive and adaptive education systems in ensuring all sectors of society can contribute to Syria’s recovery.

Interactive workshops and case Studies
The conference also featured a hands-on workshop titled “Joint Strategies to Develop Skills and Revive the Economy”, where participants collaborated on actionable solutions, including:

• Engaging academics, employers, policymakers, and students in decision-making processes.
• Identifying essential skills and competencies required for Syria’s labour market during reconstruction.
• Formulating practical recommendations to strengthen the link between education and employment.
• Exploring inclusive educational practices that promote long-term stability and peace.

Alaa Al-Azzam showcased one of SPARK’s initiatives, the Jobs & Perspective project, a successful program connecting Syrian graduates with employment opportunities. The project’s outcomes underscored the impact of targeted skill development programs and presented a scalable model for broader implementation.

From dialogue to action
As the conference wrapped up, one thing was clear—IGNITE Syria set the stage for action. Participants left with a renewed focus on translating ideas into tangible steps that will shape the future of higher education, employment, and entrepreneurship in Syria.

Rather than just discussing challenges, the event sparked new collaborations and reinforced the role of education and innovation in Syria’s recovery. The momentum generated at IGNITE Syria is just the beginning, with stakeholders now looking ahead to the real work—turning these commitments into lasting change.