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Persian Gulf University, Greece’s Aegean University sign academic partnership
The accord, finalized in the presence of Iranian Ambassador Ahmad Naderi and Cultural Attaché Hamid Reza Zarei, aims to deepen collaboration between the two coastal universities through faculty and student exchanges, joint theses, and short- and long-term academic courses.
It also includes plans for cultural festivals and research initiatives backed by international grants.
The deal marks a rare higher-education link between Iran and a European Union member state, underscoring a growing interest in cross-Mediterranean academic diplomacy despite political headwinds.
Ahmad Shirzadi, president of Persian Gulf University, said both institutions share “maritime and scientific commonalities” that could anchor a broader academic relationship. “This agreement will define joint missions and create constructive outcomes for both sides,” he said during the signing ceremony.
He urged professors and students to take “practical steps” towards implementing the deal by identifying areas of mutual strength and launching collaborative projects. Shirzadi added that his university has introduced incentive packages to encourage participation, including support for visiting scholars and access to international research funds.
Founded in 1991, Persian Gulf University is one of Iran’s leading centers for marine sciences and engineering, located on the northern shores of the Persian Gulf.
The University of the Aegean, headquartered on the island of Lesbos, operates campuses across several Aegean islands and specializes in environmental, maritime, and social sciences.