In the bustling lecture halls of Turkish universities, a quiet but profound diplomatic force is taking shape. The country’s international student population has grown sixfold in a decade, driven largely by Syrians.

Among Türkiye’s 336,000 international students, over 60,000 are from Syria, making them the largest foreign student group in the country. This represents a thirtyfold increase since 2013, with Syrians alone making up nearly one-fifth of Türkiye’s international student body.

These young scholars represent more than just an investment in education—they are a potential bridge between Ankara and a post-war Damascus, shaping the future of both nations in ways that extend far beyond the classroom.

The appointment of Syria’s new foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al Shaibani—a graduate of Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University—illustrates this dynamic.

Shaibani, who continues to pursue his Ph.D. in the same institution, wrote his master’s thesis on Turkish foreign policy towards Syria, a reflection of the intellectual and political cross-pollination taking place.

He is not alone: Aleppo’s newly appointed governor,

© TRT World