ATU President participates in a session held in Shahid Beheshti University

Report by the Directorate for International Academic Cooperation –

(News Source: ATU's Public Relations; Photo Source: MFA)

On Tuesday, 10 May 2022, Professor Abdollah Motamedi, President of Allameh Tabataba'i University, participated in a specialised session on "Science and Technology Diplomacy: Opportunities, Challenges, and Solutions," co-organised by the Centre for Strategic Studies and Shahid Beheshti University.

In the session, Professor Motamedi said, "For the incoming foreign professors who are going to travel to Iran, it is easier to take a Tourist Visa than an Academic Visa. Thus, the Foreign Affairs Ministry should take appropriate measures in terms of international relations at Iranian universities to solve the issue".

He then added, "All Iranian universities have the capacity to attract foreign students. However, sometimes we think of international students regarding the foreign currency they can bring, which is a matter of concern. Accordingly, we must pay attention to the fact that foreign students are scientific ambassadors in their own countries, and the MSRT should take special measures in this regard".

Stating that foreign student attraction requires special facilities, Dr Motamedi continued, "Currently, we have difficulties taking Afghan students' visas, and their visa issue process takes about 2 to 3 months".

Motamedi then announced that ATU is prepared to contribute to the development of science diplomacy and said, "This university has a high capacity to conduct international academic activities and help the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Silk Road Universities Network (SUN) Student Secretariat, the UNESCO Chair in Communication of Science and Technology, and the Persian Language Chairs in seven countries are among ATU capacities in international communications."

Apart from ATU President, the main participants and speakers of the session included Dr Sorena Sattari, Iranian Vice-President for Science and Technology; Dr Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Dr Bahram Einollahi, Minister of Health and Medical Education; and Dr Mohammad Ali Zolfi-Gol, Minister of Science, Research, and Technology.