TEHRAN – Farhad Yazdandoost, Director of the International Scientific Cooperation Center of the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Indonesian Ambassador to Iran, Loriansha Smirat, discussed ways to strengthen research, education and cultural cooperation between Iran and Indonesia.
At Monday’s meeting, officials explored possibilities for strengthening ties, especially in the higher education sector, IRNA reported.
Both sides agreed to sign and implement a new memorandum of understanding, implement joint research projects, exchange professors and students, hold professional conferences, send academic delegations to each other’s countries, and participate in regional programs.
Officials also discussed the creation of an industrial technology joint fund to support universities and technology companies in implementing scientific research projects.
The establishment of a center to teach Persian at Indonesian universities was also discussed in order to expand cultural relations between the two countries.
To promote the role of universities in regional and international science diplomacy, officials emphasized the need to actively participate in scientific conferences and networks, especially programs focused on technical and vocational education and training (TVET) and the D8 science initiative.
Strengthening science and technology relations
On October 31, Mr. Sumirat stressed the need to promote scientific, technological and educational cooperation between Indonesia and Iran.
“The relationship between Tehran and Jakarta needs to be upgraded from political cooperation to technical cooperation,” IRNA quoted Smirat as saying.
The official made the remarks Wednesday at a conference held at Tehran University to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
He said, “To reduce science dependence on developed countries, it is essential to establish joint networks between Iran and Indonesia in key areas such as information technology, artificial intelligence (AI), clean energy, and marine science.”
Sumirat referred to the two countries’ membership in organizations such as the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the Non-Aligned Movement and BRICS, and stressed the need to foster synergy and cooperation between the two countries to address issues in the Islamic world, the region and the world.
The official also called for expanding ties in the areas of ocean governance, energy security, climate change and the blue economy, so that the ocean becomes a uniting factor and creates a model for sustainable development.
The Indonesian ambassador also said that Indonesia opposes any unilateral sanctions and stressed the need to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through diplomacy. “Indonesia defends the right of all countries to the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.”
Seyyed Hamzeh Safavi Homami, a faculty member at Tehran University, emphasized the importance of expanding relations between the two countries, especially academic cooperation through the signing of a memorandum of understanding.
MT/MG