Iran, Iraq sign deal for scientific cooperation
A significant agreement aimed at enhancing scientific collaboration between Iran and Iraq was officially signed on Sunday, coinciding with the inaugural day of Iran-Iraq Science Week.
The agreement was endorsed by Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology Hossein Simaei Saraf and his Iraqi counterpart, Naeem al-Aboudi.
The signing ceremony took place in the Iraqi city of Karbala, with both ministers emphasizing the importance of this initiative for fostering educational ties, ISNA reported.
The agreement was signed by Omid Rezaeifar, head of the Center for International Studies and Cooperation (CISSC) of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, and Haidar Abdul Zaid, the Deputy Minister of Higher Education in Iraq.
Simaei Saraf arrived in Iraq on Wednesday evening to attend the second Iran-Iraq Science Week event. He was welcomed by Mohammad Kazem Al-Sadegh, the ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Baghdad.
Key components of the plan include strengthening joint scholarship programs for undergraduate and graduate studies, particularly under the initiative titled “Study in Iraq.” The agreement also outlines the organization of training workshops for faculty and students, encouragement of collaborative scientific guidance, and provisions for the exchange of university professors to conduct joint research and deliver lectures in their respective fields.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Simaei Saraf expressed that the Iran-Iraq Science Week represents “an excellent opportunity for planning and a significant step towards deepening the long-term scientific cooperation” between the two nations.
He highlighted the shared religion, language, and civilizational heritage as a robust foundation for enhancing bilateral relations. “This occasion provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on the shared history, rich scientific heritage, and limitless potential for collaboration between the two great nations of Iran and Iraq,” he stated.
The agreement also includes plans for the development of a joint science and technology park in Iraq, which will be managed by the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, further solidifying the commitment of both countries to advancing their scientific endeavors.