This joint meeting was held in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with the presence of Seyed Kazem Sajjadi, Deputy Minister of Consular Affairs of the Parliament from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as presidents and directors of international scientific cooperation centers of these universities. The main focus of the meeting was on introducing capacities with the approach of international capabilities of the IUN members.
In this meeting, the results of the activities and achievements of the international activities in IUN and the expectations and needs of universities and research centers in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for scientific and technological development were discussed by the heads of the IUN members.
The President of Isfahan University of Technology stated that this consortium has been in charge of protecting the country's scientific prestige and diplomacy since 2018 which was the 40th year of IUT establishment with the aim of building a scientific network. Prof. Dr. Seyed Mehdi Abtahi pointed that the protection of the country's scientific prestige and diplomacy is the responsibility of universities, and he added that if a country has the appropriate scientific prestige, it will have a greater diplomatic development. He also pointed to the important role of universities and science and technology parks in the development of science and technology outside the country and said: “The mission of the top universities is transnational and they should create a strong diplomatic tool for scientific prosperity. the synergy of capacities with close cooperation with Isfahan Municipality, membership in tourism think-tank, promotion of Diplomatic Citizenship project with the municipality focusing on the consortium members, holding joint training workshops on international grants, holding joint webinars with Switzerland, close and constructive interactions with Foreign Affairs Office in Isfahan, spreading the spirit of interaction and close cooperation between the universities and scientific centers of the consortium members in carrying out effective activities in Isfahan province, such as creating a consortium of cooperation in the field of environment, and having a more cohesive relationship with foreign universities to attract international students and also the barriers to findancial paymens with foreign organizations in scientific communications as a serious challenge, were among the topics raised by Prof. Dr. Fakheran and Prof. Dr. Omidi, the IUT officials, at this meeting.
Prof. Dr. Sima Fakhran pointed to the synergy of capacities with close cooperation with Isfahan Municipality, membership in tourism think-tank, promotion of Diplomatic Citizenship project with the municipality focusing on the consortium members, holding joint training workshops on international grants, holding joint webinars with Switzerland, close and constructive interactions with Foreign Affairs Office in Isfahan, spreading the spirit of interaction and close cooperation between the universities and scientific centers of the consortium members in carrying out effective activities in Isfahan province, such as creating a consortium of cooperation in the field of environment are among the activities carried out by this consortium.
Dr. Mohammad Javad Omidi, Vice President of Isfahan University of Technology for International Scientific Cooperation and Technology Development, also stated that attracting foreign students is of great importance and the Iranian cultural advisors have a competency to form a more cohesive relationship with foreign universities to attract students. He also talked about the barriers to financial payments with foreign organizations in scientific communications as a serious challenge, and said that the Foreign Ministry should help universities facilitate and create the right conditions for financial exchanges in technology. He announced his readiness to hold an exhibition of the scientific, technological and artistic capabilities of the Islamic Republic of Iran in cooperation with the Foreign Ministry and the UNESCO Regional Office at the UNESCO Biennial Assembly, which is a very valuable international opportunity to present our country’s capabilities.
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