Iran Joins Forces at 9th SCO Education Ministers Meeting: Strengthening Educational Collaboration
TEHRAN – In an important initiative to strengthen educational ties, Science Minister Hossein Simaei-Sarraf recently participated in the ninth meeting of education ministers from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) member states, held on May 12 and 13 in Urumqi, China. This meeting underscores the growing commitment to enhance collaboration in education, science, and technology among member countries.
During the event, Minister Simaei-Sarraf visited an exhibition titled ‘Study in China, Brand Identity and Comprehensive Service Platform’. This exhibition showcased the latest educational, research, and technological advancements from over 20 Chinese universities across various sectors, including agriculture, industry, oil, and petrochemicals. The exhibition served as a vital platform for promoting relationships between industry and academia.
Key highlights from the exhibition and meetings include:
- Participation of science ministers from other SCO member states, including China, Belarus, Tajikistan, and Kazakhstan.
- The opening ceremony of the ‘China-Central Asia Industrial, Educational, and Applied Research Cooperation 2025 Conference’.
- Discussions aimed at fostering collaboration between universities and industries.
Minister Simaei-Sarraf, alongside his Chinese counterpart, Yin Hejun, also attended the opening ceremony of the SCO University Conference. This significant event featured education ministers, experts, and scientists focused on enhancing educational interactions within the SCO framework.
Currently, the SCO University network comprises 74 universities, including Shahid Beheshti University of Iran, which has more than 2,600 students enrolled. One of the primary objectives of this university is to create and grant scholarships to students from SCO member countries. Another focal point of the conference was the organization of a borderless education week for member universities.
In 2024, Iran made a notable appearance at the SCO meeting as a full member for the first time in 20 years, having previously held the status of an observer nation. This marked a significant milestone in Iran’s engagement with the SCO.
China and Iran: Strengthening Educational Collaborations
During a bilateral meeting on Tuesday, Chinese Education Minister Huai Jinpeng and Minister Simaei-Sarraf discussed strategies for enhancing educational cooperation between Iran and China. Recognizing Iran’s capabilities in science and technology, Minister Huai expressed China’s eagerness to deepen collaboration, including:
- Offering training in Persian and Chinese languages.
- Facilitating academic exchanges for professors.
Minister Huai also noted that China has awarded academic scholarships to over 200 Iranian students and is keen on attracting more Iranian students to its institutions while welcoming more Chinese students to study in Iran. Furthermore, he highlighted China’s intention to develop an electronic education platform to facilitate educational relations with Iran.
Minister Simaei-Sarraf emphasized the shared scientific, cultural, technological, and philosophical foundations between the two nations. He stated that increasing interactions among elites could help address common challenges and enhance bilateral relations.
Highlighting Iran’s significant advancements in various fields, he mentioned that Iran ranks among the top 10 countries globally in strategic science and technology, particularly in:
- Biology
- Nanotechnology
- Stem cell research
- Information technology
- Water engineering
- Designing dams and power plants
- Aerospace
- Medical sciences
Simaei-Sarraf also stressed the necessity of expanding student exchange programs and creating opportunities for faculty members and postgraduate students to take sabbaticals in partner countries.
Exploring Strategic Partnerships
Iranian universities are actively seeking to establish scientific and research collaborations with institutions in China and Russia, following the strategic partnership established between the three countries. In a recent meeting held on April 11 in China, Saeed Habiba, Deputy Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, and Sheng Jianxue, Secretary-General of the China Scholarship Council, explored avenues for enhancing scientific cooperation between their universities.
The discussions revolved around:
- Joint academic courses.
- Exchanging professors and students.
- Expanding government scholarship programs.
- Enhancing technological ties and scientific interactions.
- Sharing expertise.
During this meeting, Habiba elaborated on Iran’s academic and scientific capabilities, emphasizing the potential for collaborative efforts. This follows the official signing of a 25-year comprehensive cooperation document between Iran and China in March 2021, which was executed by then Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
In December 2022, Iran and China further solidified their partnership by finalizing 16 memoranda of understanding as part of their strategic 25-year agreement. This collaborative spirit reflects both nations’ commitment to fostering educational and scientific advancements.
In conclusion, as Iran and China continue to strengthen their educational ties, the initiatives discussed during the SCO meeting and subsequent bilateral engagements will undoubtedly pave the way for enhanced cooperation in education, science, and technology.
