Iran’s science, tourism ministries ink cooperation agreement
Minister: Universities central to national identity, civilizational development
Iran’s Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts and the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology have signed a memorandum of understanding to enhance collaboration between cultural and academic institutions.
During the ceremony, Minister of Cultural Heritage, Tourism, and Handicrafts, Reza Salehi Amiri, emphasized the vital role of universities in fostering civilization and national identity, IRNA reported.
He called for stronger collaboration between the two sectors, stressing that this partnership is essential for achieving shared goals.
The agreement aims to harness scientific, educational, and research capacities to elevate cultural heritage, tourism, and handicrafts while transforming their preservation. It establishes a framework to integrate scientific, technological, and cultural efforts to safeguard national heritage and promote creative industries. The memorandum outlines efforts to engage students and academic elites in protecting cultural, historical, and spiritual heritage, apply scientific methods and innovative technologies in preservation, and support research and theses on Iran’s history, culture, and civilization. It also highlights the role of scientific associations and cultural student organizations in national and international programs, fostering creative industries, and strengthening entrepreneurial ecosystems within the sector.
Both ministries will collaborate on scientific, cultural, and entrepreneurial events to promote sustainable tourism, organize technological businesses, and utilize new technologies for heritage preservation. They also pledged to host events honoring national traditions like Nowruz.
Salehi Amiri reiterated that universities are central to strengthening national identity and emphasized the importance of joint festivals and conferences as tools to achieve this goal. He highlighted the potential of the Cultural Heritage and Tourism Research Institute and universities working together to advance research.
Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Hossein Simaei Sarraf, stressed the significance of universities in promoting national identity and called for increased collaboration. He noted that under the Seventh Development Plan, vocational training is set to increase by 40%, with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage as a key partner.
Sarraf described strengthening a sense of national belonging and understanding Iran’s heritage as a fundamental necessity. Starting April 4, 2024, scientific and cultural trips will be launched nationwide to deepen students’ appreciation of their identity. He also announced free access to historical sites and museums for students and faculty, initiated by Salehi Amiri, as a model for future university-heritage collaborations.