PARIS (IRNA) -- Iran and France here Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding to expand scientific and educational cooperation in the field of blood transfusion medicine.

The MOU was inked by Managing Director of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization Hassan Abolqassemi and his French counterpart Jacques Hardy in cooperation with universities of Tehran and Paris 12. According to the MOU, Iran and France pledge to boost academic cooperation and scientific exchanges in the field of blood transfusion medicine. They also agreed that professors of Paris 12 University would hold a blood transfusion medicine course for Iranian physicians at Tehran University. Meanwhile, the Iranian official in charge of cooperation between Iranian and French Blood Transfusion Organizations Suzan Hojjat Hesari told IRNA the course would be held in academic year of 2008-2009. She added a diploma degree of universities of Tehran and Paris 12 would be given to the graduates. Iran and France have launched cooperation in blood transfusion medicine since four years ago, she said, adding five Iranian physicians have passed the course so far.