More than 4000 students from the northeastern Raqqa province, enrolled at Al-Furat University – Raqqa Branch, are demanding an end to their years-long suffering as a result of their "temporary hosting" status within Syrian universities and their denial of official resettlement at the universities where they actually study.
Despite a recent decision to resettle students from Idlib University, who live in similar circumstances, students from Raqqa are still awaiting a decision from the Ministry of Higher Education that would restore their long-awaited academic rights.
After the outbreak of war and ISIS's control of Raqqa, hundreds of students were forced to leave their province and enroll in similar faculties at Syrian universities. However, they continue to be treated as "temporary hosting students" administratively affiliated with Al-Furat University (based in Deir ez-Zor), despite their full-time studies at other universities.
After graduation, these students are required to return to Deir ez-Zor to take what are known as "non-identical courses" or "plan differences." These courses can be up to eight or more additional courses, depending on the major. This means losing an additional year of their academic life without clear justification.
Painful Consequences
- Delay in obtaining a university degree due to the additional year.
- Difficulties with transportation and accommodation, especially for students living in remote areas.
- Low final grades and loss of graduate or employment opportunities.
- A recurring psychological and financial burden that has persisted for years.
Student testimonies confirm that ISIS, during its control of Raqqa, was one of the direct causes of dozens of female students being prevented from completing their education. This was due to the closure of the local university, the imposition of strict restrictions on women's movement, and the prohibition of travel and co-education.
The suffering worsened after the female students were displaced to regime-controlled areas, where they faced financial and social challenges that made continuing their studies nearly impossible.
One student said, "I lost two years of my life because of ISIS's ban, and when I was displaced to the coast, I couldn't afford housing and travel expenses. Ultimately, I was forced to leave my university in my fourth year... My dream of a degree was lost forever."
Other testimonies indicate that some parents refused to send their daughters to study outside of Raqqa due to the long distances or fear of the dangers of the road. This led to a large number of female students dropping out of university, especially in the faculties of engineering, science, and arts.
Affected Faculties
- Faculty of Agricultural Engineering - Raqqa
- Faculty of Civil Engineering - Raqqa
- Faculty of Pharmacy - Raqqa
- Faculty of Science (Mathematics, Chemistry, etc.) - Raqqa
- Faculty of Education - Raqqa
- Faculty of Arts - Raqqa
All students in these faculties are treated as "temporary host" students, despite their actual studies at other universities, under an unfair system.
The Demand: Equality, Not Privilege
The students are demanding an official decision to resettle them in the universities where they are currently studying, similar to their Idlib counterparts. They are also demanding that the requirement for non-compatible subjects be abolished, and that their degrees be recognized immediately upon graduation from the host university without having to return to Deir ez-Zor.
The students emphasize that their demand is neither a luxury nor a special privilege, but rather a correction of a long-standing, unjust legal and administrative situation that has directly impacted thousands of young Syrians from Raqqa Governorate.
The Raqqa students believe that the Ministry of Higher Education's silence on their case is a disregard for an undeniable reality, and that their academic future is now at stake in postponed decisions. They hope to find a sympathetic ear this time, before a new wave of Syrian talent is lost due to unjustified administrative injustice.
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