Tehran – Dalif Shahruk Hozakbarovich, the first vice minister of higher education, science and innovation in Uzbekistan, calls for greater cooperation between Sharif University of Technology and top universities in Uzbekistan.
Officials made a statement on April 22 at a meeting with Sharif Institute of Technology Prime Minister Seyed Abbas Musavi, Mehr’s news agency reported.
During the meeting, both sides signed a memorandum of understanding, highlighting the importance of sharing expertise in the Science and Technology Park and established a branch of Sharif University of Technology in Tashkent.
On April 19, Uzbekistani officials met Farhad Yazdandost, the director of the Ministry of Science and Research and Technology, and called on Iranian universities and scientific institutions to support the development of Uzbekistan’s technology and innovation, saying that face-to-face interactions between science staff are far more effective than diplomatic communication.
During the meeting, the two staff discussed the possibility of developing scientific and technical cooperation between the two countries.
Officials said the cooperation could be focused on sharing expertise and expanding scientific cooperation between university prime ministers and expanding joint funding in the technical field.
Yazdandoorst detailed the scientific achievements and significant growth of student numbers following the Islamic Revolution in 1979.
Over 60 Science and Technology Parks operate under the supervision of the Ministry of Science and Technology. He said, “We also plan to attract around 300,000 foreign students with a five-year plan.”
The formula emphasized that cooperation between the two countries could include conducting joint research, exchanging students and professors, and holding joint sports activities for students.
Yazdandoorst also invited Uzbekistan’s Minister of Science to participate in the second ministerial meeting of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation (OIC)–15 Dialogue Platform, which is scheduled to be hosted by Tehran.
Strengthening relationships between health, education and technology
In November 2024, Uzbekistan expressed interest in strengthening its cooperation with Iran in a variety of fields, including health, education and technology.
The country called on Iran’s health sector to provide online consultations to Uzbekistani experts and establish a direct link between health professionals from both countries.
At a conference held in Tehran on November 6, 2024, Hossein Roozbeh, the development agency for international cooperation in science and technology, and Fazliddin Muminov, vice president of international cooperation in Uzbekistan, discussed ways to expand scientific and collaborative efforts.
Expanding cooperation in the field of science, exchanging students and professors, promoting collaboration between knowledge-based companies, participating in science and technology events, including technology exhibitions, and holding joint seminars, conferences and symposias was one of the most important focuses of the conference.
Iran praises Iran’s high capabilities in science and knowledge-based companies, saying it is a powerful and prominent country in the region with high strategic capabilities in knowledge and technology. By integrating Iran’s capabilities with Uzbekistan’s capabilities, both countries will benefit from incredible progress.
“There is the ability to increase cooperation in education, interaction between professors and academics from both countries, replacement of test equipment, and exchange of technical knowledge-based products,” he added.
Roozbeh said there is a strong connection between the two countries in terms of history, culture and shared identity.
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