A group of dedicated educators has found a way to circumvent the war that has disrupted all aspects of Syrian life. Since students can't travel to universities to study, a university has come to them.

Afrin University, the first university based in Rojava (Syrian Kurdistan), began registering students in August. Though it is not yet accredited, the school's officials already plan to expand its offerings and facilities.

“The idea of ​​establishing a university is useful for students from Afrin who used to study at Aleppo University and other universities across Syria, but who dropped out as a result of the blockade imposed on Afrin. Traveling from Afrin to Aleppo University now requires 20 hours, which forced numerous students to leave their university,” university President Ahmed Youssuf told Al-Monitor.

“One of the objectives of the university is to bridge the large gap in the educational field as a result of the Syrian war," Abdul Majeed Sheikho, dean of the arts faculty, told Al-Monitor. "The university gives the students an opportunity to complete their studies and to achieve their educational goals. This is a better solution than the decision to migrate.”