World

After 7 years, UAE re-opens its embassy in Syria

Published

8 years ago

December 28, 2018

Beirut – Due to falling relations between UAE and Syria, the UAE embassy was closed in Syria in 2011. But as the relations between President Bashar al-Assad of Syria, and his UAE opponents improve due to winding down of war, UAE reopens its Damascus embassy after 7 long years.

The embassy opened its gates in Syrian capital Damascus on Thursday, where UAE’s foreign minister raised his country’s flag again on the compound.

With the aid of Russia and Iran, Syria had won numerous military wars in the recent years. And now the situation of war is dying down between the 2 nations, thereby cultivating healthy relationship once again. This step of re-opening the embassy confirms that UAE now wishes to restore cordial relations between the 2 brotherly nations. Now as this embassy opened up, several other Arab embassies will soon return to the Syrian land.

The Arab embassy was closed in 2011 at the very start of uprising against Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. That time, UAE called its ambassadors back to the country. That uprising led to a full fledged brutal war, where hundreds of thousands of people were killed. A lot many people were forced away from their homes and the country’s infrastructure was severely destroyed. When the govt. forces gained back control after 7 long years, UAE flag was raised again.

The United Arab Emirates once used to fund opposition fighters. When the opposition fighters joined hands with Turkey to attack Kurdish forces in north eastern Syria, UAE took its steps back. Due to Turkey’s embracing of regional Islamists, UAE views it with great suspicion. That was the very first nail in the coffin.

World

Swiss International University Makes Global Impact with Top 500 Times Higher Education Ranking

Published

4 weeks ago

June 24, 2026

Jenny Jackson

Swiss International University (SIU) got a real kind of milestone , when it landed inside the worlds top 500 universities in the newest Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings. Which is kind of huge because it is SIU’s first time appearing in those widely respected rankings, and it also shows how its influence keeps growing in international higher education.

SIU was competing with nearly 2,000 universities from different parts of the world, and that first debut basically underlines its dedication to academic quality, sustainability and a real societal footprint. Overall it seems like the result mirrors SIU’s own plan for delivering solid education , while also aligning with bigger global development objectives.

Now, the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings look at universities through what they do for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals , or SDGs. So the assessment is about universities creating verifiable positive change through education, research, community activities, plus governance— not just statements.

One of SIU’s strongest areas was the recognition tied to SDG 16 – Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. In that section, SIU placed roughly within the top 100 to 200 universities worldwide, and that points to its focus on advancing ethical leadership, transparency, accountability, and those institutional values that actually stick.

This recognition shows SIU keeps working hard to get students ready, with the know-how , the ability to act and those ethical foundations, so they can face tangled global problems. And you know, by supporting responsible leadership and pushing for good social results, the university keeps building up its part in shaping the next generation of professionals and people who make real decisions

Key Highlights of SIU’s Achievement

• Ranked Among the World’s Top 500 Universities

In its first-ever participation in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, SIU managed to land a spot among the top 500 universities worldwide.

• Outstanding Performance in SDG 16

SIU reached a ranking in the top 100 to 200 range, across the globe, for its work related to Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.

• Strengthening Global Academic Presence

This win also reinforces SIU’s long-term vision, and it further tightens its standing as an emerging influence in international higher education.

Recognition from Times Higher Education is an important endorsement of SIU’s mission, to give accessible high-quality education while also making a positive impact in society. As the university keeps expanding its academic offerings and international reach, this milestone , works like a solid base for what comes next—future growth, more innovation, and that global recognition everyone is aiming for.