الحرية الاكاديمية والتعليم العالي في سورية تاريخ - مقومات - واقع - آفاق

It is well-known that scientific research offers the most benefitable base ground for finding solutions for problems and for opening new horizons in front of development, innovation and creativity. This will help face current challenges, narrowing the gaps between world's communities ( Globalization ) and realizing the required scientific development which is widely considered as the key for any economic and social development. Such a view was already floated by the pioneer of the current Malaysian scientific advancement Mahatair Mohammad within his successful pursuit to provide favorable atmospheres and means to secure the elements and factors for launching his country's development, and later to guarantee its duration and enhancement in the light of the required development, at one hand, and of the needs of local and international communities. Freedom in its wide, open and absolute means and atmospheres constitutes one, if not the sole, environment for the creation, duration and enhancement of any process towards development. Within the frame of our perception of freedom, and relating to the importance of the scientific research and academic studies in realizing development, a subordinate conception about academic freedom has already emerged. It was engulfed by the following factors: 1- The regulations and rules of the higher education. 2- The cultural and scientific level of the teaching staff and their intellectual schools. 3- The available possibilities. 4- The customs, values and habits of the surrounding social atmosphere. In the following paper, we attempt to review the concept of the academic freedom in Syria and its development according to the historical process of the higher education plus the realities and possible prospects for its development within the frame of the Syrian government's project of development and modernization.