WANA (Jan 19) –A meeting focused on scientific development is currently taking place in Iraq between officials from Iran and Iraq, where a scientific and cultural collaboration agreement was signed. During this meeting, It was also announced that Iran’s ready to offer up to 200 annual scholarships for Iraqi students.

 

Hossein Simayi Saraf, Iran’s Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, inaugurated the Iran-Iraq Science Week in Karbala, emphasizing the event as a platform to strengthen scientific and cultural collaboration between the two nations. He lauded the organizers and highlighted the potential for this initiative to lay a robust foundation for sustainable cooperation.

 

Simayi referenced the deep historical ties between Iran and Iraq, urging the leveraging of this shared heritage to advance scientific and research development. He outlined key areas of collaboration, including joint research projects on pressing issues such as environmental challenges, water and energy resource management, and medical sciences.

 

He underscored the importance of faculty and researcher exchange programs, stating that such initiatives could foster a new generation of researchers equipped with profound understanding of shared issues and capable of providing effective solutions.

Hossein Simayi Saraf, Iran’s Minister of Science, Research, and Technology at Science week in Karbala. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Additionally, Simayi stressed the need for focused cooperation in advanced technologies, urging both countries to seize opportunities in fields such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and nanotechnology.

 

The minister also acknowledged the pivotal roles of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and Iraq’s Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in promoting education and encouraging collaboration between the two nations.

 

Signing of Scientific Cooperation Agreements

On the first day of the event, a scientific cooperation agreement was signed by Omid Rezaeefar, Head of Iran’s International Scientific Cooperation Center at the Ministry of Science, and Haider Abd Zuhaid, Deputy Minister of Higher Education in Iraq.

 

The agreement outlined initiatives such as:

  • Strengthening joint scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate studies, including the “Study in Iraq” initiative.
  • Hosting workshops for faculty and students.
  • Encouraging collaborative scientific supervision and research.
  • Facilitating university faculty exchanges for joint research and specialized lectures.
  • Establishing a joint science and technology park in Iraq under the management of the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.

Omid Rezaeefar, Head of Iran’s International Scientific Cooperation Center at the Ministry of Science, and Haider Abd Zuhaid, Deputy Minister of Higher Education signing a scientific cooperation agreement. Social media/ WANA News Agency

Commitment to Academic Exchange

Saeed Habibba, Deputy Minister of Science and Head of Iran’s Student Affairs Organization, emphasized Iran’s readiness to attract Iraqi students, offering up to 200 annual scholarships to the Iraqi government. He described students and faculty as pivotal to cultural and scientific development and stressed that equitable opportunities for academic growth in both nations are a top priority.

 

Habibba revealed plans to establish joint academic programs between Iranian and Iraqi universities, including initiatives for dual-location degree programs. For instance, students enrolled in joint programs between the University of Tehran and the University of Baghdad would complete half of their coursework in Iraq and the remainder in Iran.

 

He further announced Iran’s readiness to award scholarships to outstanding Iraqi students and to expand opportunities for online education.

 

The second Iran-Iraq Science Week is taking place from Saturday, January 18, to Monday, January 20, at Al-Zahra University in city of Karbala, with participation from higher education officials and university presidents from both nations. The inaugural of the First Science Week was held October 7-12, 2023, in Mashhad, hosted by Ferdowsi University.