TEHRAN – Mazandaran University and Iraq’s Kut University have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to boost educational, research, and technological cooperation, and foster ties among the universities of the two countries.

During a meeting held in Iraq, representatives from the two universities expounded on their capacities, highlighting the need to enhance academic interactions, IRNA reported.

The signed MOU is centered on exchanging students and professors, holding collaborative educational courses, expanding scientific and research programs, as well as establishing joint educational majors.

Boosting ties in evolving scientific and technological fields, including implementing joint research projects and organizing joint courses in artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, and advanced materials, were among other issues discussed.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Iranian officials paid a visit to the Persian language teaching center at Kut University to learn more about the capacities and activities of the center, and discussed ways to enhance collaborations with the center.

Mazandaran University has recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iraq’s Wasit University to expand international scientific cooperation.

Iraq seeks to boost scientific, academic ties with Iran

On August 6, Iraqi officials in a meeting with Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, called for expanding academic, scientific, and technological cooperation with Iran.

The science minister met Iraq’s Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Haider Abd-Dahd Al-Rubaie, Iraq’s Minister of Health, Abdul-Hussein al-Mousawi, and Acting Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Abdul Hussein Al-Mussawi, in Baghdad, IRNA reported.

During the meeting, the two sides underscored the need to expedite the implementation of the previously signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

Sharing Iran’s expertise in higher education development to achieve quantitative and qualitative goals, addressing the needs of Iraq’s substantial youth population, as well as attracting genius Iraqi students, and enhancing research collaborations were among the key focuses of the talks.

Simaei-Sarraf also held a meeting with Iraq’s National Wisdom Movement leader Sayyed Ammar al-Hakim.

Underlining the extensive scientific and academic capacities of Iran and Iraq, both parties exchanged views on strategies for promoting scientific cooperation, expanding joint research collaborations, and developing academic interactions between the higher education institutions of the two countries.

In April, Simaei-Sarraf and Al-Aboudi underlined the need to boost scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

The officials also discussed ways to develop collaborations on artificial intelligence (AI) utilizing the capacities of the two nations, IRNA reported.

During a meeting held in Tehran on April 18, Al-Aboudi announced that the establishment of a branch of Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iraq has been put on the agenda.
 
For his part, Simaei-Sarraf voiced Iran’s readiness to share the country’s scientific, research, and educational achievements with Iraq to help enhance bilateral ties.

The official said that Iranian and Iraqi students have conducted a total of 350 joint research projects so far, which needs to be improved considering the available capacities.

Referring to an upcoming Iran-Iraq science week, which is scheduled to be held in Isfahan and Fars provinces, Simaei-Sarraf said the event was delayed because of the [US-Israeli imposed] war, but it will be held at the earliest convenience.

As the two officials agreed, AI and smart education will be among the topics to be discussed during the Iran-Iraq science week. The event is expected to lay the basis for holding a joint conference on AI in the near future.

MT/MG