TEHRAN – Burkina Faso’s Ambassador to Tehran, Mohammadi Kaboureh, has highlighted the significance of boosting scientific ties with Iran, calling it essential for the sustainable development of the African country.

“Sustainable development without education is improbable; we need Iran’s valuable expertise to achieve the goal. Burkina Faso is determined to enhance cooperation with Iran in all fields, particularly educational and scientific sectors,” IRNA quoted Kaboureh as saying.

The official made the remarks on Tuesday, in a meeting with the head of the Organization of Students Affairs, Saeed Habiba, in Tehran.

Lauding Iran’s efforts in granting scholarships to Burkinabe students, the official expressed hope that more students have the chance to benefit from this opportunity.

Habiba, for his part, said, “Burkina Faso is one of Iran’s friendly countries,  we are interested in expanding scientific partnership and science diplomacy with the country.

According to the seventh national development plan (2023-2027), the country aims to attract 3,200 foreign students. Currently, some 500  students (70 percent are men) from Africa are studying in Iran, of which 10 percent receive a scholarship. “We are planning to grant scholarships to Burkinabe students for the first time,” the official noted.

Foreign students studying in Iran rise to 35,000

A total of 35,000 foreign students were studying in Iranian universities in the past academic year that started on September 22, 2024, compared with 27,000 students in 2023, Kianoush Suzanchi, an official with the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, said in December 2024.

“Almost 62 percent of the students who are studying in Iran are post-graduate students, and we are about to fulfil our goals in scientific authority,” he noted.

The official called foreign students to promote the Persian language in their homelands.

In March, Hashem Dadashpour, the former head of the Organization of Student Affairs, said that the organization would offer new services to foreign students studying in the country’s universities, ISNA reported.

Moreover, online language learning systems would be launched for applicants to take Persian language courses before entering Iran and prepare to study in universities, he added.

In September 2023, Dadashpour said the ministry of science was planning to increase the number of international students to some 320,000 from currently around 100,000 by 2026.

“There was an increase in the number of international students over the sixth National Development Plan (2017-2021). The seventh development plan (2022-2026) has also put increasing the figure to around 320,000 on the agenda,” he explained.

“Strengthening scientific authority, developing public diplomacy, and expanding the Persian language are the three main reasons for attracting international students,” Dadashpour said, IRIB reported.

He went on to say that the principle of attracting international students is a major strategy and plan for the Ministry of Science.”

Dadashpour stressed that the international campus of universities is the center of attracting international students and managing their affairs, but all university vice-chancellors are responsible for international students as much as Iranian students.

He pointed out that “International students’ attendance at the cultural events of the university helps Iranian students to get more familiar with them and their culture.”

“Also, international students can have their own cultural and artistic organization.”

The infrastructure of the university, educational and cultural planning, and the university staff should all attract students in a way that gives them a different positive view of Iran as they get back home.

The deputy head of the student affairs organization considered it important to provide suitable centers and platforms for teaching the Persian language to international students in universities.

Dadashpour stated, “Learning the Persian language is an important precondition for studying in Iran.”

The 61st meeting was held with the motto of cultural transformation of the university and smart governance.

MT/MG