Iran and Italy Forge Strategic Partnership: Universities Sign MOU to Enhance Scientific Collaboration
In a significant development for academic partnerships, Allameh Tabatabai University of Tehran and the University of Salento in Italy have formalized their collaboration through a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This agreement aims to enhance scientific cooperation in the fields of social and human sciences, fostering a deeper exchange of knowledge and resources.
The meeting, which took place in Tehran on a recent Sunday, featured key discussions between Shoja Ahmadvand, the chancellor of Allameh Tabatabai University, and Fabio Pollice, the chancellor of the University of Salento. According to reports from the Mehr news agency, both leaders explored various avenues for enriching their academic partnership.
- Teaching of Persian and Italian languages
- Implementation of short-term courses
- Exchanging students and professors
- Launching a new archaeology major
- Establishing a Persian-Italian journal
- Conducting Erasmus+ projects in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence
- Donating books to enhance library resources
Ahmadvand’s proposals received a positive response from the Italian delegates, indicating a mutual interest in these initiatives. Pollice further added to the conversation by suggesting:
- Virtual courses for both Persian and Italian languages
- Online meetings among faculty members from both institutions
- Opportunities for professors to interact and collaborate
- Short-term exchanges for professors and students to facilitate long-term academic relationships
The signed MOU emphasizes the exchange of essential scientific data, books, journals, and research documents that cater to the educational and technical interests of both universities. Key components of the agreement include:
- Mutual publication of articles in relevant academic journals
- Facilitating sabbatical leaves for faculty members
- Joint educational programs with recognized degrees
- Participation in international educational events hosted by either university
- Collaborative supervision of postgraduate students
In another significant development in February 2024, Luiss University in Italy expressed its readiness to strengthen academic ties with Iranian institutions. A meeting between Andrea Prencipe, the chancellor of Luiss University, and Mohammad-Reza Sabouri, Iran’s ambassador to Italy, highlighted the potential for increased collaboration.
During this discussion, Prencipe noted that several Iranian students are currently enrolled at Luiss University, and he expressed eagerness to welcome even more Iranian scholars. Sabouri, on his part, showcased Iran’s academic strengths in various fields, including economics, management, political science, and international relations, while also proposing the exchange of faculty and students between the two universities.
Global Ranking of Iranian Universities
The recent Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings by Subject 2025 has acknowledged the academic prowess of Iranian universities, featuring 17 institutions across 21 subject categories. This marks a notable increase from the previous year, where the same number of universities was represented in only 17 subject areas.
Highlighting specific fields, Iranian universities have excelled in:
- Engineering and Technology
- Life Sciences and Medicine
- Natural Sciences
Among these institutions, the University of Tehran stands out with a global ranking of 280, making it the top university in Iran. This represents an improvement from its previous rank of 346 in 2024. Following closely is Sharif University of Technology, which has seen a remarkable rise from a global ranking between 410-450 in 2024 to 292 this year.
Furthermore, the Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings (WUR) by International Outlook 2025 has recognized 85 Iranian universities, placing them among the world’s elite institutions. Within this context:
- Sharif University of Technology ranks first in Iran with a global position of 301-350.
- Amirkabir University of Technology and Iran University of Science and Technology follow, both ranked between 351-400.
- Lastly, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences and the University of Tehran hold rankings of 401-500.
The latest rankings also indicate that Iranian universities have made substantial progress, with 81 institutions featuring among the top universities globally across 10 out of 11 subject areas, up from 73 in 2024. Notably, the best rankings for Iranian universities are in the fields of Computer Science and Engineering.
The University of Tehran, along with Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Shahid Beheshti University, Allameh Tabatabaei University, and the University of Isfahan, is ranked among the top institutions in the Arts and Humanities.
