Trump signs order ending US sanctions on Syria, Damascus welcomes move
U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Monday ending the U.S. sanctions programme on Syria, the White House confirmed....
‘Our goal is to generate 25,000 new jobs in the technology sector over the next five years and to help Syria build a sustainable tech ecosystem,’ says one of the organizers.
A group of Syrian IT engineers in the US gathered Friday with students and industry professionals at a technology conference in Damascus.
Organized under the leadership of Syrian engineers working in Silicon Valley, the event aims to connect young talent with international companies, create new job opportunities and share the latest developments in the IT sector.
Participants highlighted the importance of knowledge transfer between Syrian engineers abroad and those in Syria, emphasizing the role of the IT industry in strengthening the country’s economy.
Bridging Silicon Valley, Syria
Iyad Yaqoob, one of the organizers, described the conference as the first major technology gathering in Syria since the fall of the Baath regime. Speaking to Anadolu, he explained the event’s significance:
"Technologists, entrepreneurs, and students in Syria will now have direct access to the latest technological advancements through collaboration with their Syrian counterparts from around the world. Academics, business owners, investors, and students will have the opportunity to come together, share knowledge, and explore new possibilities,” said Yaqoob.
Yaqoob emphasized that Syrian professionals in Silicon Valley feel a responsibility to contribute to their home country. One of the key objectives, he said, was to exchange insights on technological progress, challenges, opportunities and potential collaborations.
“Our goal is to generate 25,000 new jobs in the technology sector over the next five years and to help Syria build a sustainable tech ecosystem,” said Yaqoob.
Reflecting on his journey, he added: “I left Syria 15 years ago, but I believe the best thing we can do is listen to each other, share knowledge, and move forward together. Syrians should now take greater responsibility for their country's future.”
Creating 25,000 tech jobs in five years
Navar Shara, head of the artificial intelligence department at a US-based company, reaffirmed the initiative’s ambitious goal.
"We came from the US specifically for this conference. As a team of academics, researchers, and industry experts, we are committed to creating 25,000 job opportunities over the next five years by working closely with students, universities, and local leaders in Syria,” said Shara.
He noted that companies specializing in informatics and data science will play a crucial role in mentoring students and guiding them toward technology-driven projects. The conference, he added, is designed to foster collaboration between students and academic institutions, helping them gain practical experience before graduation.
Strengthening Syria’s technology ecosystem
Rama Shakaki, another member of the US team, participated in the conference as a volunteer and advocate for strengthening Syria’s technology sector.
“Our goal is to build a sustainable future for the tech industry by bringing together entrepreneurs and investors while supporting young people in artificial intelligence, information systems, and engineering,” Shakaki explained.
She emphasized that the conference aims to connect IT companies with Syrian students, creating pathways for innovation and long-term growth in the country’s technology sector.
The U.S. economy faces a 40% risk of recession in the second half of 2025, JP Morgan analysts said on Wednesday, citing rising tariffs and stagflation concerns.
China has ramped up efforts to protect communities impacted by flood control measures, introducing stronger compensation policies and direct aid from the central government.
Severe rain in Venezuela has caused rivers to overflow and triggered landslides, sweeping away homes and collapsing a highway bridge, with five states affected and no casualties reported so far.
A malfunction in the radar transmission system at the Area Control Center in Milan suspended more than 300 flights at the weekend, across northwest Italy since Saturday evening according to Italy's air traffic controller Enav (National Agency for Flight Assistance).
Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday, demanding Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra resign as political and economic tensions mount.
Two Azerbaijani brothers killed in a Russian security raid in Yekaterinburg are being returned home, sparking outrage and urgent calls for justice amid allegations of abuse and ethnic profiling.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan will not attend the meeting of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) Foreign Ministers Council scheduled for Monday in Kyrgyzstan, according to a statement from Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.
Chinese mining giant Zijin Mining is set to acquire Kazakhstan’s Raihorodok gold deposit for $1.2 billion, a move that will transfer control of RG Gold and could significantly boost Kazakhstan’s annual gold production, pending regulatory approval.
The Kremlin on Sunday voiced regret over Azerbaijan's reaction to the recent arrests of several Azerbaijani nationals in Russia’s Yekaterinburg region, after a controversial police operation tied to a decades-old criminal case sparked diplomatic tension between the two countries.
Armenia says it is ready to discuss the place and date for signing a peace agreement with Azerbaijan, according to Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment