TEHRAN - Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-based Economy, Rouhollah Dehqani-Firouzabadi, and Aide to the President of the Russian Federation, Andrei Fursenko, discussed ways to expand scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

The officials also emphasized developing capacities to implement joint projects by high-tech companies of the two countries, ISNA reported.

Firouzabadi and his accompanying delegation went on a two-day trip to Moscow at the invitation of Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Industry and Trade Minister, Denis Manturov.

Upon his arrival in Moscow on Tuesday, he said, “A number of scientists from both countries will be used in research programs under a collaboration plan between Iranian and Russian science foundations,” Center of International Science and Technology Center (CISTC) website announced in a press release on October 26. 

The meeting was scheduled following the negotiations that took place in May during Fursenko's visit to Tehran’s INOTEX exhibition. It was agreed then to revive the Iran-Russia high-tech committee and set new agendas for the committee.

Enhancing cooperation in the fields of medicine and medical equipment, energy, transportation, particularly civil aviation transportation, and microelectronics were among other agreements reached during that trip.

Also, a memorandum of understanding was signed between the National Science Foundations of Iran and Russia. After the joint call for proposals, 100 proposals were received for the implementation of joint scientific and technological projects. Only 20 projects are supposed to be implemented with the joint support of the national science foundations of the two countries.

Firouzabadi and his delegation also elaborated on Iran's achievements in the field of prosthetics and artificial limbs, which drew the attention of the Russian side. A specialized team was appointed to visit Iran and investigate joint cooperation in this field.

Expanding communication and joint cooperation between top universities and science and technology parks of Iran and Russia are agreed on as well.

Firouzabadi was scheduled to meet with the Russian deputy prime minister and visit some industrial, scientific, and technological centers to discuss and exchange views on the details of their cooperation.

Expanding sci-tech co-op

In May, Fursenko emphasized the need to expand scientific and technological cooperation with Iran, especially in the field of artificial intelligence.

“We pay serious attention to the field of artificial intelligence as a widely used scientific and technological field, considering the technological capabilities that exist in Iran, we are ready to cooperate in these fields,” IRNA quoted Fursenko as saying.

“In the field of environment, where we are facing challenges, we can make positive changes and reforms with the help of technology and at the same time adapt ourselves to the changes that are inevitable,” Fursenko added.

Dehqani, for his part, said in recent years, the Islamic Republic of Iran has achieved significant success in various fields of technology such as biotechnology, telecommunications, nanotechnology, communication, and other fields.

“It seems that now is the right time for the formation of bilateral cooperation between the two countries, especially in various scientific and technological issues.” It seems necessary to set up a joint committee and an investment fund for cooperation between Iran and Russia in the field of technology, Dehqani stressed.

Russia is one of the prioritized countries for scientific and technological relations with Iran. Since 2016, various specialized working groups formed by the two countries in the fields of space, aerospace, cognitive sciences, biotechnology, nanotechnology, university cooperation, mega-science, information technology, energy, and regional cooperation.

During the last 5-6 years, the capacity of international interactions has been considered by Iran and Russia, and this cooperation has expanded by forming bilateral agreements through inter-sectoral coordination.

Scientific cooperation between Iran and Russia is based on five models in various fields of nanotechnology, aviation, electronics, and telecommunications, and the establishment of the Iranian house of innovation in Russia is the latest example of this cooperation.

MT/MG