Iraq, Iran review scientific, cultural collaborations

Tehran, IRNA – An Iraqi minister and a diplomat of the Iranian embassy to Baghdad have discussed ways to develop scientific and cultural cooperation between the two friendly countries. Cultural advisor of the Islamic Republic in Iran Gholamreza Abazari and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of Iraq Naim Yasir Al-Aboudi met in the Iraqi capital on Sunday. The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research issued a statement, announcing that the two sides held talks on cultural and scientific cooperation among universities of both states in particular in medical science and engineering. According to the Iraqi ministry, the two officials also discussed ways to pursue joint scientific research. On July 12, Ambassador of Iraq to Tehran Nasir Abdul Mohsen Abdullah and Iranian deputy science minister Vahid Haddadi Asl held talks at Iran's Ministry of Science. Haddadi Asl said that Iran prioritizes academic collaboration with Iraq among all Islamic and neighboring states. As to the fact that some 107k Iraqi students are studying at Iranian universities and academic centers, the official added that nearly 55k Iraqi students are studying at universities affiliated to the Ministry of Science of the Islamic Republic. He also underlined that the ministry makes all-out efforts to provide Iraqi students with the best opportunity to keep on education in Iran. The Iraqi ambassador, for his part, said that the biggest number of Iraqi expat students are studying in Iran. Pointing to the political exchanges and close relationship between the two neighboring states concerning cultural and economic areas, he called for the improvement of cooperation in scientific and research fields. The envoy noted that the most important challenges of Iraqi students in Iran relate to the on-time issuance of visas and graduation certificates. He further welcomed preparation for holding joint meetings between presidents of Iranian universities and Iraqi higher education authorities. Follow us on Twitter @IrnaEnglish