In line with plans to expand scientific cooperation, delegations from Russia, Germany and France are expected to visit Iran, said Deputy Science Minister Hossein Salar-Amoli.
According to Salar-Amoli, the deans of 12 Russian universities will be visiting Iran to cooperate with Iranian universities, Mehr News Agency reported.
The official made the statements at the ninth conference of deputies and CEOs of international affairs sectors of universities, institutions of higher education, research centers and science and technology parks held last week.
The official added that “despite the vast potential of Iran’s universities, we have not been able to win a large share of the science market in the region or the world.”
“We have not put the needed effort into implementing the right international regulations in the areas of science and technology development,” he said.
Salar-Amoli said internationalization of science and technology cannot be done on its own and must be achieved through the collaboration of all sectors.
He said that launching joint projects with foreign university professors, holding joint seminars on PhD levels and attracting more foreign students and scientists have been placed on the agenda.
Salar-Amoli added that he plans to create a science hub in Iran, adding that the head of Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science will be visit in September to help implement the plans.
Max Planck Society is an independent non-governmental and non-profit association of German research institutes founded in 1911.
The official said over the next 10 years, “we should be able to gain a 10% share in global research with the help of such centers”.
In recent months, a report said three joint courses with South Korea and two European countries will be held in Iran.
Last year, 141 joint projects were implemented with foreign countries in the areas of research and technology, many of which are currently underway.
In the last Iranian year (ended March 19, 2016), 2,100 foreign students visited Iran, of whom 1,100 received scholarships and Iran met the educational cost of the remaining 1,000.
