TEHRAN – Iran has put forward eight proposals for the development of relations among the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states.

The 8th meeting of SCO education ministers was held on April 17 in Moscow, IRNA reported.

Attending the meeting virtually, Omid Rezaei-Far, an official with the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, elaborated on the following eight proposals while delivering his speech.

Iran’s first proposal focused on creating a joint fund to support studies and facilitate conducting research by member states.

Fostering scientific and technological cooperation among member states through the exchange of researchers and scientists was the second offered suggestion.

Sharing infrastructure and laboratory equipment among members; and awarding scholarships, financial aid, and educational grants aligned with the interests of the SCO were among the other suggestions made by Iran.

Rezaei-Far also suggested the sharing of research experiences and technological development under political and economic restrictions.

He went on to announce Iran’s willingness to establish a professional training center within the framework of the SCO with the aim of promoting digital education.

Other proposed plans included supporting Persian language chairs in universities of the SCO member states and providing annual advanced training courses for Persian language professors in these universities.

The formation of a working group on advanced education to be led by the deputy ministers of science and higher education of the SCO member states was also suggested. Iran announced readiness to host the working group meetings.

“We strongly believe that knowledge generation will greatly improve people's social welfare. Hence, scientists should not be limited to certain geographical borders, they should serve all humanity,” Rezaei-Far said.

Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology believes that removing borders for scholars and scientists will significantly decrease the level of tension in the region, he further noted.

Highlighting that countries are obliged to expand the free flow of knowledge regardless of territories and political borders, Rezaei-Far said let’s make the idea of universal access to science and technology for all races, nationalities, religions, economies, and languages come true.

8th SCO meeting

The meeting was attended by heads of specialized agencies of the SCO member states including Iran, India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Belarus, IRNA reported.

Special attention was paid to the functioning of the key educational project on the organization’s platform – the University of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (network university).

At the meeting, the heads of delegations presented national priorities in ensuring quality and accessible education and discussed the development of cooperation in this area.

Iran participated in the meeting as a full member for the first time after 20 years of being an observer country.

Kazem Jalali, Iran’s ambassador to Russia, represented Iran in person, while Omid Rezaei-Far participated virtually, delivering a speech via a video conference.

During the meeting, Jalali stressed that “Iran, as a full member, is looking for constructive interaction and comprehensive cooperation with SCO departments.”

Saying that education is the cornerstone of national development, he highlighted the importance of boosting educational ties.

MT/MG