TEHRAN – Iranian and Turkish officials have discussed avenues to expand academic cooperation within the framework of a joint program to promote science diplomacy.

In a meeting held on Tuesday in Tehran, the head of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology’s center for international scientific cooperation, Ehsan Qaboul, and Turkish ambassador to Tehran, Hicabi Kirlangic, explored the capacities, challenges, and future perspectives for the expansion of scientific, research, and educational cooperation between Iran and Turkey, msrt.ir reported.

The two sides agreed to boost science diplomacy by organizing an Iran-Turkey science week, holding recurrent meetings of the best universities, developing joint scientific projects, and establishing science and technology parks, particularly in border areas.

During the meeting, Qaboul said, “Our main objective is to develop a joint scientific ecosystem that encompasses everything from higher education to applied research and modern technologies.”

Supervising joint dissertations was the other issue raised by the official, noting that Persian and Turkish students can help address common problems between the two countries, conduct collaborative research projects, and ultimately improve the scientific standing of Iranian and Turkish universities in international rankings.

The official also proposed exchanging students, granting scholarships, offering joint scientific calls on shared environmental, technological, and industrial issues, and developing joint curricula to strengthen cultural links and localize education.

Highlighting the capacities of medical universities in the country, Iranian officials announced their readiness to attract more Turkish students. Currently, more than 130 Turkish students are majoring in medical fields in Iran.

For his part, Kirlangic emphasized the need to address problems related to issuing visas and equivalent certificates, saying that establishing transparent mechanisms will increase confidence among students and their families.

Expanding scientific ties

In December 2025, Kirlangic met with Iranian Science, Research, and Technology Minister, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, discussing avenues for enhancing scientific and educational collaboration between the two countries in a meeting in Tehran.

During the meeting, Kirlangic announced Turkey’s readiness to develop scientific and cultural cooperation with Iran, highlighting the commonalities between the two nations. The official also asked Iran to expedite the entrance and exit of Turkish students majoring in Iran.

For his part, Simaei-Sarraf highlighted the need to boost cultural, research, and scientific relations between Iran and Turkey. The official proposed developing a joint committee to list reliable universities based on regional and global rankings.

He also suggested fostering cooperation in fields such as literature, basic sciences, and technology. The two sides agreed to develop collaborative majors and strengthen educational centers to address problems of students in both countries, as well as exchange professors and students, and collaborate on joint projects.

In October 2025, the science attaché of Iran in Turkey met with Turkish university officials, exploring avenues to promote scientific cooperation, particularly joint research in emerging sciences.

During a meeting held between Mohammad-Reza Pourmohammadi, and Mehmet Cahit Güran, the Rector of Hacettepe University, the two officials reviewed former agreements and highlighted the need for the expansion of ties, including collaborative research projects in cutting-edge fields, IRNA reported.

They also discussed offering sabbatical leaves for postgraduate students, and holding scientific seminars and conferences focusing on regional issues.

In a meeting with Hatice Bakkaloglu, the Vice Rector of Hacettepe University, the two sides underlined the significance of fostering scientific collaborations between the two nations, particularly by organizing joint postgraduate courses and conducting scientific research.

Iran’s science attaché also attended a meeting with Kürsat Aydogan, the Rector of Bilkent University.

Aydogan presented a report on the academic status of Iranian students. The official said that they value scientific cooperation with Iranian universities, calling for further joint efforts.

For his part, Pourmohammadi highlighted implementing formerly signed memoranda of understanding and expanding partnerships between the universities of the two countries.

MT/MG