From Knowledge to Collaboration. From Collaboration to Impact.
SyrIA-ARC
Syrian Academic Research & Innovation Forum
From Alumni Networks to Action
SyrIA-ARC is a platform that connects Syrian academics, researchers, professionals and DAAD alumni to develop ideas, build collaborations and transform knowledge into projects with real impact.
Born from the experience of LfS-ARC – Leadership for Syria Alumni for (Re-)Constructing Syria – SyrIA-ARC expands this vision into a broader, interdisciplinary platform for research, innovation, knowledge transfer and academic cooperation.
Connect. Develop. Collaborate. Implement.
Turning Knowledge into Impact
Thousands of Syrians have studied, researched and worked within German and international academic institutions. They represent an extraordinary reservoir of knowledge, experience, professional networks and expertise.
SyrIA-ARC creates a structured space where this expertise can connect. The platform brings together researchers, professionals, innovators, universities, institutions and partners around concrete challenges and opportunities related to Syria and the wider region.
SyrIA-ARC is not simply a networking platform.
It is designed to move from: Ideas → Collaboration → Project Development → Partnerships → Implementation.
Our Strategic Foundation
Our Vision
A connected global Syrian knowledge community contributing to a better future through science, research and innovation.
We envision SyrIA-ARC as a long-term bridge between Syrian expertise worldwide, academic institutions in Germany and Europe, universities and organizations in Syria, and international partners.
Our ambition is to create an ecosystem in which academic and professional knowledge can be transformed into practical cooperation, research partnerships, capacity-building initiatives and innovative projects.
Our Mission
- Connect Syrian academics, researchers, professionals and DAAD alumni across disciplines and countries.
- Create interdisciplinary working groups around important scientific, societal and development challenges.
- Support the development of concrete research and innovation projects.
- Facilitate cooperation between Syrian, German and international universities and institutions.
- Enable knowledge and technology transfer.
- Connect project ideas with experts, partners and potential funding opportunities.
- Strengthen the role of the Syrian academic diaspora in research, higher education and innovation.
- Build sustainable networks that continue beyond individual conferences or events.
From LfS-ARC to SyrIA-ARC
It started with a simple question: How can Syrian academics who gained knowledge and experience abroad contribute meaningfully to Syria’s future?
In 2025, DSFG launched LfS-ARC – Leadership for Syria Alumni for (Re-)Constructing Syria. The initiative brought together alumni of the DAAD Leadership for Syria programme and created interdisciplinary working groups focused on major areas of reconstruction and institutional development:
- Social Cohesion & Transitional Justice
- Health Systems & Wellbeing
- Infrastructure & Sustainable Recovery
- Higher Education & Capacity Building
- Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment
The goal was not merely to discuss challenges. Participants were encouraged to develop policy recommendations, actionable project ideas, institutional partnerships and long-term collaboration. LfS-ARC demonstrated the potential of bringing together highly qualified Syrian alumni within a structured, outcome-oriented framework. But it also revealed something important: the potential was much larger than one alumni programme.
The Next Step: SyrIA-ARC
SyrIA-ARC was developed as the next stage of this journey. Instead of focusing only on Leadership for Syria alumni, SyrIA-ARC opens the platform to a much broader community of Syrian DAAD scholarship holders, alumni, academics, researchers, professionals and collaborators.
At the same time, the focus has evolved. While LfS-ARC was strongly oriented toward reconstruction and policy development, SyrIA-ARC places greater emphasis on research, innovation, technology, academic cooperation, capacity building, project development and implementation.
The objective is to create a living platform where expertise can continuously meet ideas, partners and opportunities.
SyrIA-ARC 2026
The first SyrIA-ARC Forum brought together Syrian DAAD alumni and professionals around concrete project ideas and future cooperation.
The discussions were organized around thematic working groups designed not only to exchange ideas, but also to identify potential partners, follow-up actions and future projects. SyrIA-ARC therefore represents a transition: from presenting ideas to developing them together.
The SyrIA-ARC Model
A continuous cycle transforming ideas into sustainable initiatives and institutional partnerships.
Connect
Researchers, alumni, professionals, institutions and organizations discover each other based on expertise, interests and project needs.
Discuss
Ideas are explored within thematic communities and interdisciplinary working groups.
Develop
Promising concepts are refined into structured research projects, initiatives, pilot programmes or cooperation proposals.
Match
Projects are connected with relevant academics, universities, institutions, experts and potential partners.
Support
Where possible, SyrIA-ARC helps identify mentoring, institutional support, funding opportunities and collaboration pathways.
Implement
The long-term goal is to move selected ideas beyond discussion toward real projects and measurable impact.
Thematic Areas
Our interdisciplinary working groups target critical scientific and regional priorities.
Health & Life Sciences
Public health, digital health, medical research, healthcare systems and biomedical innovation.
Artificial Intelligence & Digital Transformation
AI, data science, digital infrastructure, responsible technology and digital public services.
Engineering & Reconstruction
Infrastructure, urban development, energy, GIS, remote sensing and sustainable rebuilding.
Environment & Sustainability
Circular economy, environmental research, waste management, climate resilience and sustainable technologies.
Higher Education & Research
University cooperation, research infrastructure, laboratory development, academic capacity building and scientific training.
Society, Governance & Justice
Social cohesion, civil society, governance, migration, transitional justice and institutional development.
Education & Human Capacity
Teaching, professional training, mentoring, youth development and lifelong learning.
Innovation & Entrepreneurship
Technology transfer, startups, applied research, industry cooperation and innovation ecosystems.
More Than a Conference
SyrIA-ARC is connected to the Arab Science Symposium in Germany – ASSG, but it is designed to continue long after the symposium ends.
ASSG provides an important physical meeting point. SyrIA-ARC provides the structure for what happens afterwards.
The portal enables participants to continue discussions, develop ideas, create working groups, identify collaborators and follow projects over time.
The SyrIA-ARC Portal
A digital home for the community. The SyrIA-ARC Portal is currently being developed as the central digital platform for the initiative.
- Join thematic communities
- Continue discussions after ASSG and SyrIA-ARC meetings
- Present research and project ideas
- Find experts and collaborators
- Form project and working groups
- Share opportunities and resources
- Develop projects collaboratively
- Connect with institutions and partners
- Follow the progress of initiatives
- Build long-term academic and professional networks
The portal is designed to transform SyrIA-ARC from an annual meeting into a continuous collaboration platform.
Who Can Participate?
- Syrian DAAD alumni and scholarship holders
- Syrian academics and researchers worldwide
- Early-career researchers and students
- Professionals and innovators
- German and European universities
- Syrian universities and research institutions
- Scientific organizations
- Civil society organizations
- International organizations
- Research funders and development partners
- Companies and technology partners interested in academic cooperation and innovation
What Can You Bring?
You do not need to arrive with a fully developed project.
- An idea
- A research question
- A challenge
- A technology
- An existing project
- A collaboration opportunity
- Expertise
- A university partnership
- A problem that needs a solution
SyrIA-ARC is designed to help connect these elements.
Our Long-Term Ambition
SyrIA-ARC aims to become a sustainable platform for mobilizing Syrian academic and professional expertise globally.
- Permanent interdisciplinary working groups
- Joint Syrian–German research projects
- University partnerships
- Alumni-led pilot projects
- Research and innovation funding applications
- Technology-transfer initiatives
- Scientific training programmes
- Policy and evidence briefs
- Academic mentoring
- Diaspora-supported research infrastructure
- Annual SyrIA-ARC meetings alongside ASSG
- A growing digital community connecting expertise across borders
The ultimate goal is simple: to create structures through which knowledge can become collaboration – and collaboration can become impact.
The Journey Continues
LfS-ARC created the foundation. SyrIA-ARC expands the community. The SyrIA-ARC Portal builds the infrastructure for the future.
The next chapter will be written by the people who join it.
Bring your expertise. Bring your ideas. Find your collaborators. Build what comes next.
An initiative hosted by the Deutsch-Syrische Forschungsstiftung e.V. – DSFG.