TEHRAN -- The Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology for Educational Affairs has announced that the ministry is considering the establishment of an electronic university.

Jafar Tofighi says that preliminary studies have commenced and that all the managerial and educational activities of the university would be electronically organized.

He added that if the project is successful it will be expanded.

Tofighi said that the ministry is considering offering courses electronically and providing students access to other universities' courses.

He pointed out that in this way university students could take courses offered by different universities and take exams electronically.

The deputy minister added that universities could accept electronic correspondence students as well.

Tofighi said the ministry also intends to promote scientific cooperation with other countries.

He added, "In the past year, 30 joint Ph.D. courses were offered and it is hoped that the number of these joint courses will increase in the future. Reconsideration of educational curriculums is another objective of the ministry over the next four years."

Tofighi said that this plan was initiated one year ago and that curriculums would be reviewed according to the latest scientific developments.