Allameh Tabataba'i University and Sorbonne University embark on a new chapter of academic cooperation

Report by Directorate for International Academic Cooperation, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Tehran—

Source: atu.ac.ir/fa

Translated into English by Rasoul Firouzi

On Sunday, 8 June 2025, a high-level delegation from Sorbonne University of France and the Paris Geopolitical Academy met with officials at Allameh Tabataba'i University (ATU) to discuss launching a new era of joint academic and research collaboration, with a focus on geopolitics, geostrategy, and regional studies.

The French delegation included Dr Ali Rastbin, President of the Paris Geopolitical Academy, alongside Dr Gérard-François Dumont and Dr Christophe Réveillard, both professors at Sorbonne University. They were hosted by a team of ATU's academic leaders, including Dr Mandana Tishehyar, Vice President for Research; Dr Pouria Askari, Director of International Academic Cooperation; Dr Mohammadreza Vijeh, Dean of the Faculty of Law and Political Sciences; and Dr Saeed Shokouhi, Dean of the ECO College of Insurance.

During the meeting, both parties emphasized the need for Iranian and French universities to pursue geopolitical studies with greater intensity.

Dr Mohammadreza Vije highlighted the capacities of ATU's Faculty of Law and Political Sciences: "Our Faculty can engage in effective collaborations with Sorbonne University through its Department of International Relations, particularly in regional studies and global international relations," he stated, noting that joint projects and faculty exchanges would be key to transferring knowledge and experience.

Dr Pouria Askari, Director of International Academic Cooperation, stressed the importance of deep mutual understanding to build a foundation for joint ventures. "Given Dr Rastbin's research at the Paris Geopolitical Academy and the corresponding departments at ATU, leveraging this shared experience for joint research is highly effective for advancing our international cooperation goals," he said.

Proposals discussed during the meeting included facilitating faculty exchanges, organizing joint conferences, and publishing research by ATU faculty in French academic journals.

Dr Rastbin then explained that the Paris Geopolitical Academy, an independent institute founded 25 years ago, could serve as a vital link between experts from both nations. "Understanding the geopolitical issues of Iran and France requires knowledgeable specialists, and our academy can act as a connecting bridge," he remarked. Dr Rastbin expressed hope for extensive collaboration through conferences, faculty and student exchanges, and joint publications.

Further discussions explored potential cooperation in fields like international law and humanitarian law. Additionally, it was proposed that Sorbonne University professors could serve as visiting faculty at ATU and that their scholars could join the editorial boards of ATU's numerous academic journals in political science and international relations.

Both sides expressed strong optimism that the meeting would mark the beginning of a new chapter of partnership between ATU, Iran's largest university in the humanities and social sciences, and the prestigious Sorbonne University.