TEHRAN – Iraqi Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Naeem Al-Aboudi, has welcomed Iranian universities to open branches in Iraq.

“We are interested in boosting collaborations in areas such as artificial intelligence and nanotechnology. We also support sisterhood agreements between universities of the two countries,” Al-Aboudi said.

The official made the remarks in a meeting with the head of Iran’s Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour, on Friday.

Al-Aboudi also expressed willingness to admit Iranian students to Iraqi universities, IRNA reported.

Imanipour, for his part, highlighted the significance of enhancing educational ties and conducting joint scientific research calling it essential for making a shared future.

Supporting knowledge-based centers is one of the ways to develop science and technology in Iraq, he stressed.

The official went on to suggest boosting cooperation between the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and the Iranian Vice Presidency for Science and Technology.

Iran-Iraq science week

The second Iran-Iraq science week, which was supposed to be held in Karbala, is currently postponed due to the martyrdom of late President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian, alongside other officials.

The first Iran–Iraq Science Week was hosted by the Iranian city of Mashhad from October 9 to 12, 2023.

Representatives of over 60 universities and educational institutions attended the event.

Hosted by Ferdowsi University, this scientific event aimed to develop diplomatic interactions, academic relations, and cultural exchange.

“The development of academic cooperation and the exchange of scientific knowledge and modern technologies is one of the main goals of holding this 5-day conference,” IRNA quoted Vahid Haddadi-Asl, the Iranian deputy science minister for international affairs, as saying.

He stressed the importance of exchanging experiences and expertise and formulating scientific understandings in many files, some of which relate to the environmental aspect and joint educational programs.

Mohammad Kafi, chancellor of Ferdowsi University, for his part, explained that the universities of the two countries are keen to take successful steps of joint talks and reach a vision that serves the scientific and research side between the two countries.

Meanwhile, the Iraqi Undersecretary for Scientific Research Affairs, Haider Abed Dahud, who headed the delegation of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, said that the science week between the two countries summarizes the level of understanding and coordination resulting from the agreement between the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in the Islamic Republic of Iran and completes the dialogues that took place in Baghdad, the University of Baghdad’s website reported.

To expand and promote scientific and technological relations implement joint research projects and develop joint cooperation between the scientific and research centers of the two countries, memorandums of understanding are signed, the Iraqi news agency (INA) reported.

“The memorandums of understanding included a number of cooperation files, including research opportunities for graduates, joint supervision and development of the post-doctoral path, as well as the exchange of students between universities and mutual fellowship in various specializations, cultural, artistic and sports programs, and joint research projects, in addition to benefiting from laboratory services and logistical equipment at the universities of the two countries," INA quoted the website of the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, as saying.

"The memorandums also included scientific cooperation in the field of training, and the exchange of scientific consultations related to curricula and academic courses, while it was agreed to form a committee from both parties to coordinate, follow up, and facilitate implementation procedures."

The scientific and academic centers of the two countries would hold meetings and webinars to trace, examine, and resolve the existing challenges by exchanging views.

Also, joint academic committees would be formed to follow up on the implementation of the memorandums of understanding.

Boosting educational co-op

In May 2023, Al-Aboudi said many Iraqi youths are interested in continuing their higher education in Iran.

Now the demand for studying in Iran is very high and a large number of Iraqi students are interested in continuing their higher education in Iran as a friendly and neighboring country, he added.

The Iraqi official made the remarks in a meeting in Tehran with Iran's Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Mohammad-Ali Zolfigol, IRNA reported.

He pointed out that some 75,000 Iraqi nationals are currently studying in Iranian universities.

“The scientific abilities and capacities of the two countries require that we boost cooperation in the field of science and research, and in this field, we need detailed planning and the formation of special working groups,” Al-Aboudi highlighted.

Zolfigol, for his part, while emphasizing the need to increase joint scientific exchanges between Iran and Iraq and holding joint seminars, said holding a joint meeting between heads of universities and research and technology centers of the two countries can help increase cooperation.

MT/MG