# Turkey-Syria academic and cultural cooperation > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-syria-academic-and-cultural-cooperation > Updated: 2026-10-24T15:42:48.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 2. Turkey and Syria have initiated formal efforts to strengthen academic and scientific ties. A memorandum of understanding was signed between the Turkish Council of Higher Education (YÖK) and the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to restructure academic operations in northern Syria. This agreement involves transferring several academic units, such as the Afrin Faculty of Education and El-Bab Faculty of Economics and Administrative Sciences, to the University of Aleppo, while ensuring educational continuity for medical students in Çobanbey. A key component of this cooperation is the planned establishment of an international Syria-Turkey University in Damascus. Following these structural agreements, an international meeting was held at Damascus University to discuss the historical and cultural connections between the two nations. Organized with support from Turkish academic and cultural institutions, the event focused on using language, history, and science to foster deeper ties, with participants emphasizing the importance of preserving shared civilization beyond mere diplomatic contact. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-24: International academic meeting held in Damascus on Turkey-Syria relations An international academic conference in Damascus focused on strengthening Turkey-Syria relations through shared history, language, and cultural cooperation. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/international-academic-meeting-held-in-damascus-on-turkey-syria-relations ### 2026-10-13: Turkey and Syria sign higher education cooperation agreement Turkey's YÖK and Syria's Ministry of Higher Education signed an agreement to transfer northern Syrian academic units to the University of Aleppo and establish a joint Syria-Turkey University in Damascus. 9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/alanya-alaaddin-keykubat-university-establishes-academic-ties-in-algeria --- Cite as: Turkey-Syria academic and cultural cooperation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-syria-academic-and-cultural-cooperation