TEHRAN – Within the framework of the "Study in Iran" program, 12 Iranian universities, participating in the Indonesian Higher Education Partnership Conference (HEPCON), are showcasing opportunities for Indonesian students to study in Iran.

The event is being held from August 28 to September 3 in Bali.

Referring to the meeting held with the officials of the University of North Sumatra, Universitas Sumatera Utara, Mohsen Sarraf, Scientific and Research Counsellor of Iran in Southeast Asia, said the fact that the universities of the two countries aim to foster civilization and solve social problems provide a common ground for the two countries’ cooperation, IRNA reported.

“Cooperation in higher education is crucial for Islamic countries to enhance their educational level and global presence in scientific competitions.”

Boosting strategic scientific-educational cooperation with Indonesia, the largest Muslim country, diversifying the country's international students, and showcasing Iran's educational attractions to recruit students from the East Asia region, as well as establishing links with higher education institutions in the region are among the goals of attending the conference, he added.

Iranian universities are also scheduled to attend the Indonesia Educational Fair, participate in the meetings of the higher education network of the East Asian region, and sign scientific-educational agreements.

Bringing together over 100 universities and representatives from over 100 Indonesian universities, converge with representatives from more than 20 countries to explore opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and mutual growth in higher education.

The main goal of the HEPCON is to cultivate global partnerships, streamline student exchange programs, enhance the quality of higher education, foster global partnerships, and share scholarship opportunities through B2B setups.

It also aims to facilitate collaboration and international partnerships between higher education institutions across the globe.

Iranian universities advance in intl. rankings

The status of Iranian universities has increased in the latest versions of the Times Higher Education (THE) and the QS World University Rankings, according to the head of the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC).

World university rankings demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of universities, as well as their scientific positions relative to one another.

However, they can contribute to boosting science diplomacy and attracting international faculty members and students. It can also shape policies that develop international competitions and lead to the globalization of universities.

The 21st edition of the QS World University Rankings (2025) placed nine Iranian universities among the world’s top institutes.

Sharif University of Technology (with a rank of 342), University of Tehran (368), Amirkabir University of Technology (403), Iran University of Science and Technology (436), and Isfahan University of Technology (489) ranked first to fifth, respectively.

Tabriz University (552), Shiraz University (691-700), Shahid Beheshti University (851-900), and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (951-1000) were other top Iranian universities included in the ranking.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings (WUR) 2024 included 73 Iranian universities among the top universities in the world in 10 out of 11 subject areas with 2 universities namely the Institute of Higher Education of Scholars and the University of Sanat Naft, (listed as Reporter).

Sharif University of Technology with a ranking of 301 – 350 ranked first in the country. Amirkabir University of Technology was ranked second, while Science and Technology University as well as the University of Tehran were placed third. All the universities moved up.

MT/MG