Tehran and Baghdad Discuss Ways to Deepen Academic and Scientific Cooperation

Iran and Japan held discussions aimed at strengthening scientific and technological interaction through joint programs and more active utilization of both countries' research potential.

During the meeting on Monday, Mohammad-Reza Nazeri, Iran's new ambassador to Tokyo, and Amir-Hossein Mirabadi, head of the Organization for the Development of International Cooperation in Science and Technology, explored opportunities to expand bilateral partnership, according to Mehr News Agency. The main focus was on developing joint programs and effectively applying the scientific and technological capabilities of each country.

In January, Japanese Ambassador Tamaki Tsukada emphasized the need to strengthen scientific ties with Iranian universities in various fields, especially in new technologies, artificial intelligence (AI), and advanced materials. According to Tsukada, science and industry are the main indicators of power in the 21st century and play a crucial role in scientific diplomacy.

These statements were made during a meeting with Mahmoud Shokrikh, Rector of the University of Science and Technology of Iran (IUST). The ambassador noted that Iran's scientific capabilities and potential have never been fully presented to Japan, and that this is his primary task. He also stated his readiness to facilitate interaction between IUST and Japanese universities.

For his part, Shokrikh detailed the university's achievements in science, research, and industry. He proposed faculty and student exchanges, joint educational courses and scientific projects, the creation of shared laboratories, and cooperation in science and technology parks.

Referring to the consortium of five leading Iranian technological universities—University of Tehran, Tehran Medical University, Amkirabi University of Technology, Sharif University of Technology, and Iran Medical University (UT5)—the official representative stated that this consortium could form the basis for expanding scientific contacts between top Iranian technological universities and Japanese universities, which was positively received by the Japanese side.

In 2025, Ehsan Chitsaz, Deputy Minister of Information, Communications, and Technology (ICT), and Takuo Imagwa, Vice Minister of Japan for International Affairs and Communications, stressed the necessity of increasing technological cooperation in key sectors, including AI, the digital economy, and the development of sustainable communication infrastructure.

During the meeting held in Tokyo, officials examined ways to further improve cooperation. Topics discussed included the establishment of an 'Iran-Japan Center for Digital Innovation,' joint policy development for new technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, and platform regulation, as well as training specialists in the digital economy through joint university courses.

In turn, Takuo announced Japan's readiness to develop digital ties with Iran, noting that Iran is following a path of digital transformation while considering local and long-term aspects. Japan supports this approach and is ready to implement joint projects after evaluating Iran's constructive proposals. The parties also agreed to establish a joint executive working group to monitor the implementation of the agreements reached.

Universities in Iran and Russia held discussions on directions to enhance scientific interaction and expand joint research projects. During the online meeting, both educational institutions presented their capabilities, examined potential areas of cooperation, and agreed to consider mobility programs involving industry representatives from both countries.

The Persian Gulf University's initiatives are focused on three key areas: energy, petroleum products, gas and petrochemicals; marine research; as well as international business and trade. By prioritizing these spheres of scientific knowledge and academic activity, the university aims to strengthen its significant role in maintaining peaceful coexistence and sustainable development, as well as improving the welfare and prosperity of people in the Persian Gulf region.

The university's internationalization project began in recent years, leading to a significant increase in international indicators, including the number of foreign academic staff, students, and international events held. The university's mission is to become a third-generation international university with excellence in science, technology, and entrepreneurship to meet societal needs and create value for it, by educating competent citizens and fulfilling social functions.

The Persian Gulf University has a high reputation due to the quality of teaching, academic research, and graduate employment. Admission is limited to students who have successfully passed the annual national entrance exam conducted by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of Iran.

Novosibirsk Oblast is home to one of Russia's most renowned universities—a symbol of the model of a science-oriented university in Siberia, located in the center of the scientific city Akademgorodok. This university holds a prominent position in the country's science and technology system, relying on high-quality education, fundamental research, and close cooperation with institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences. The combination of a dynamic academic environment, an international scientific community, and an emphasis on basic sciences and advanced technologies has made it a key center for nurturing a new generation of scientists and innovators in Russia and around the world.

Iran and Russia are preparing to establish a joint commission on science and technology, and a document on international scientific cooperation between the two states is planned to be signed at the meeting of this commission.

In September, Ehsan Kabul, head of the Center for International Scientific Cooperation of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, stated Iran's firm commitment to expanding ties with Russia. He outlined further steps for Tehran and Moscow to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including the creation of a joint commission on science and technology. Kabul added that the Minister of Science, Research and Technology plans to visit Moscow within the next three months to finalize the document on international scientific cooperation between Iran and Russia.

He also announced plans to implement 500 cooperation programs with Russian universities and scientific institutions. These programs include conducting 100 joint educational courses with the participation of Russian professors, the opportunity for 100 doctoral and master's students to choose a second supervisor among faculty members of Russian universities, and organizing 100 technological events aimed at expanding bilateral cooperation from the field of science and education into the technological sector. Furthermore, 100 joint cultural events with Russian universities and academic and educational institutions are planned, as well as 100 scholarships for Russian students, who will be given priority in studying Persian language and literature.

The official emphasized Iran's support for Persian language programs in Russian universities, noting that Iranian professors are ready to teach Persian to Russian-speaking students both in person and online.

In June, the Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simai-Sarraf, and the Russian Minister of Science and Higher Education, Valery Falkov, reviewed strategies for developing scientific, educational, and academic cooperation between the two countries. Special attention was paid to expanding student-professor exchanges, strengthening research partnerships, and promoting academic interaction. Simai-Sarraf considered establishing Russian language departments in Iranian universities and Persian language departments in Russian universities as a sign of deepening scientific and cultural ties between the two states. Falkov, for his part, noted the start of a new admission period at Russian universities and welcomed Iranian students, wishing to emphasize the importance of providing them with employment opportunities and utilizing their academic potential upon returning to Iran.

The Iraqi Ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdulzahra Al-Hajjaj, emphasized the need to expand scientific cooperation between the two states. He noted that this interaction should go beyond simply attracting students and include joint research projects, the exchange of professors and scientists, as well as strengthening technological ties.

According to an IRNA report, universities serve not only as educational institutions but also as bridges for experience exchange and dialogue among scientists from different countries, particularly Iran and Iraq.

These statements were made by Al-Hajjaj during a national festival held at the Iranian University of Science and Technology on Tuesday. He highlighted significant progress in bilateral scientific relations, noting that thousands of Iraqi students are studying at over 80 Iranian universities in medical and non-medical fields.

The past two weeks of Iran-Iraq science brought together more than 70 to 80 rectors from both countries' universities, during which more than 250 memorandums of understanding were signed, indicating a successful experience in expanding scientific cooperation.

The ambassador stated that the opening of a branch of the Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iraq has contributed to stabilizing and advancing academic relations between Iran and Iraq. Furthermore, he expressed hope for the soon opening of branches of Sharif University of Technology and the Iranian University of Science and Technology in Iraq, as well as the opening of a branch of the University of Tehran in Karbala and Najaf.

Al-Hajjaj also mentioned that Iraq is expanding its educational and research infrastructure, and as the number of local universities increases, most Iraqi students will prefer to study at home. However, given that 85 percent of Iraqi students in Iran are employees who will face difficulties studying abroad under new Iraqi legislation, he proposed viewing this situation as an opportunity to revise the model of scientific interaction.

The Iraqi official called for the implementation of joint research projects in areas such as medicine, agriculture, sand and dust, oil, gas, and new technologies, including artificial intelligence. Other issues raised included the development of joint curricula and joint supervision of dissertations.

On October 18, Mohammad-Javad Najafi, Iran's scientific advisor in Iraq, and Haider Abd Dahed, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq, discussed ways to strengthen academic partnership between the universities of the two countries. The main focus was on approaches to solving problems and meeting domestic and regional needs.

The meeting covered key topics such as cooperation in science-oriented research, provision of scholarships, simplification of educational matters for students, and preparation for the 'Third Week of Iran-Iraq Science'. Officials also spoke about conducting joint research, scientific supervision of joint postgraduate dissertations, and publishing joint scientific articles in authoritative international journals.

Another issue raised by both sides was addressing the educational difficulties and problems faced by students in each other's countries. On September 22, Esan Kabul, head of the Center for International Scientific Cooperation of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, and Safa Taki Abd Noor Al-Issavi, President of Mustansiriya University, stressed the need to activate technological cooperation and fulfill previously reached agreements.

In Tehran, representatives agreed to conduct joint research and supervise master's theses on common issues facing Iran and Iraq, including economic, social, cultural, agricultural, and industrial challenges. Both sides agreed to actively participate in the Third Week of Iran-Iraq Science. Kabul noted that the Iraqi university should play an effective role in this week by developing and implementing practical and synergistic programs in cooperation with leading Iranian universities.