Iranian and Iraqi Officials Discuss Developing Academic Ties and Scholarship Exchange

Officials from Iran and Iraq held discussions aimed at strengthening academic and scientific interaction, stimulating the exchange of specialized experience, and expanding partnerships between universities and research institutions of the two countries.

These discussions took place during an academic session titled 'Horizons of Scientific and Professional Development,' organized by the Association of Iraqi Graduates of Iranian Universities in Baghdad.

The meeting was attended by Mohammad-Javad Najafi, an Iranian scientific advisor in Iraq, Salah Bushi, head of the Iraqi Center for Strategic Affairs, as well as several graduates of Iraqi universities who studied in Iran.

The session provided an opportunity to explore options for closer academic cooperation and the exchange of scientific and professional experience.

Speaking at the event, Najafi noted that Iraqi graduates from Iran are valuable assets playing a key role in developing scientific and technological cooperation, creating joint research projects, and exchanging knowledge between the two states. He urged these students to maintain constant contact with their home universities in Iran.

For his part, Bushi elaborated on the significance of graduates from Iranian universities for Iraq's scientific and professional progress. He emphasized that the value of higher education lies in the ability to solve problems, increase organizational productivity, and provide services to society, adding that obtaining an academic degree is a starting point for forming competencies and acquiring professional skills.

This official also stated the necessity of utilizing university scientific achievements in large research projects and highlighted the importance of strengthening synergy between the higher education system, labor market demands, and national development priorities.

Furthermore, Iraqi students shared their views, expressed concerns regarding post-graduation issues, and proposed several recommendations.

On October 20, the Iraqi ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdulzahra Al-Hajjaj, stressed that scientific cooperation between the two countries must go beyond student enrollment and include joint research, the exchange of professors and scientists, and the strengthening of technological ties. According to him, universities serve not only as educational centers but also as bridges for dialogue and expertise exchange among scientists from different countries, particularly Iran and Iraq.

He made these remarks during a speech at the National Festival held at the Iranian University of Science and Technology. Al-Hajjaj noted significant progress in bilateral scientific relations, reporting that thousands of Iraqi students study in over 80 Iranian universities in medical and non-medical fields.

The past two weeks of Iran-Iraq science brought together more than 70 or 80 rectors from both nations, and over 250 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) were signed, indicating a positive experience in expanding scientific cooperation.

The ambassador also stated that the opening of the Tehran University Medical School branch in Iraq has contributed to stabilizing and advancing academic relations between Iran and Iraq more than ever before. He expressed hope for the soon opening of branches of Tehran University, as well as Sharif University of Technology and the Iranian University of Science and Technology in Iraq.

According to the official, Iraq is expanding its educational and research infrastructure, and with the increase in local universities, most Iraqi students will prefer to study at home. Given that 85 percent of Iraqi students in Iran are employees who, according to new Iraqi legislation, will face difficulties studying abroad, he suggested viewing this situation as an opportunity rather than a threat to revise the model of scientific interaction between the parties, otherwise, a potential decrease in the number of Iraqi students in Iran could create new problems.

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 like artificial intelligence. Other issues raised by Al-Hajjaj included the development of joint curricula and joint supervision of dissertations.

On October 18, Najafi and Haydar Abd Dahed, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq, discussed ways to strengthen academic cooperation between the universities of the two countries, focusing on problem-solving approaches and meeting domestic and regional needs. The main topics of the meetings were cooperation in problem-oriented research, provision of scholarships, easing educational matters for students, and preparation for the 'Third Week of Iran-Iraq Science.'

A delegation from Greek universities visited Shahid Beheshti University to explore ways to expand academic cooperation between the two countries. The visit took place on Wednesday, when the delegation participated in a scientific round table at the Faculty of Economics and Political Sciences.

During the meeting, the Rector of Shahid Beheshti University, Mohammad Reza Akamiri, and representatives of the Greek academic community emphasized the importance of strengthening scientific research and educational interaction. The parties discussed potential areas for joint work, including the exchange of faculty and researchers, experience sharing, conducting joint scientific and educational projects, and attracting students.

The Greek delegation called for the expansion of interdisciplinary and international scientific cooperation to enhance social justice and counter common problems, stressing the need to address the humanitarian and legal aspects of the war against Iran.

For their part, Iranian academics noted the historical ties between the nations and insisted that several obstacles must be overcome before commencing joint scientific efforts, such as financial limitations, travel difficulties, banking operations, visa issues, and administrative barriers. As practical measures to improve academic ties, they proposed holding online meetings, publishing joint articles, developing library cooperation, and implementing current research projects.

According to Akamiri, Shahid Beheshti University will monitor the implementation of the agreements reached, laying the foundation for sustainable scientific interaction between the parties.

The Head of the Presidential Affairs Directorate at the Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) announced in August that Iran leads among Islamic countries in key indicators of scientific output in fields such as quantum science, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced materials. According to IRNA, the country is in active competition with Turkey and Saudi Arabia in these areas.

These statements were made by him at a press briefing on August 17, where it was noted that the development of science in these areas is included in national development plans. According to the Web of Science database, Iran ranks first among Islamic countries in scientific output in some of these fields, and second or third in others. Nevertheless, overall, Iran maintains a leading position.

Bakhtiari specified that in the field of advanced materials—an interdisciplinary area covering physics, chemistry, mechanics, and materials science—Iran ranks second among Islamic countries and ninth globally. He also reported that Iran ranks third in artificial intelligence, behind Saudi Arabia and Turkey, and second in quantum science after Saudi Arabia.

The ISC representative added that Iran ranks first among Islamic countries in cognitive science and leads overall. According to WoS, over a five-year period (from 2021 to 2025), Iran (with 32 documents) ranks first in cognitive science among Islamic countries, while Turkey (23 documents) and Saudi Arabia (22 documents) rank second and third, respectively.

Between 2014 and 2023, Iran ranked first or second in most cognitive science fields among Islamic countries. During this decade, the country ranked first in cognitive neuroscience, cognitive rehabilitation, and cognitive linguistics, publishing 387, 156, and 30 documents, respectively. In quantum science (216 documents) and advanced materials (5975 documents), Iran ranks second after Saudi Arabia, which has 283 and 6160 documents in these areas. Malaysia (154 documents) and Egypt (3151 documents) rank third in quantum science and advanced materials, respectively.

Minister of Science Hossein Simai-Sarraf stated that despite illegal sanctions, Iran maintains the first place among Islamic nations in cognitive sciences and ranks ninth globally in advanced materials. Many prestigious Iranian universities and institutions are included in international rankings. These achievements highlight the country's scientific potential.

Simai-Sarraf made these remarks at the 7th Turkish Education Technology Summit (TETZ 2026), held in Istanbul from June 26 to 28. He noted that Iran represents an excellent opportunity for investment in higher education and modern technologies. The country possesses one of the largest higher education systems in the region, comprising over three million students and more than seventy thousand faculty members and researchers.

Emphasizing that the rapid development of new technologies, including AI, is radically changing human relations and higher education systems worldwide at an unprecedented pace, Simai-Sarraf stated that the effective use of intelligent technologies requires creating a system based on algorithmic transparency, educational equity, accountability, protection of student rights, and responsible data management.

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.