Russia–Iran to expand scientific cooperation focused on University of Guilan

Pars Today – The Head of the Russian Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States Affairs, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation, leading a delegation, visited Rasht and announced Moscow’s determination to expand scientific and technological cooperation with Iran.

The visit aimed to establish sustainable cooperation frameworks with the University of Guilan in northern Iran and strengthen academic and research partnerships between the two sides.

According to Pars Today citing IRNA, Yevgeny Primakov, head of the Russian Federal Agency for Commonwealth of Independent States and Humanitarian Cooperation, met with members of the administrative board of University of Guilan in Rasht.

He emphasized the expansion of bilateral scientific, cultural, and technological cooperation between Russia and Iran, describing the purpose of the visit as identifying mutual capabilities and transforming them into practical and effective collaboration.

Primakov highlighted Russia’s strengths in areas such as advanced technology, modern agriculture, food industries, physical education, and aquaculture, expressing interest in sharing these capabilities with the University of Guilan.

He stated that the cooperation could lead to joint research projects, exchange programs for faculty and students, and the formation of international research networks.

At this meeting, the head of the institution noted that, based on the latest ranking by Islamic World Science Citation Center, the university is among the top eight comprehensive universities in the country.

He also highlighted the university’s nearly fifty-year history and its enrollment of approximately 16,000 students, emphasizing its international role. The official further stated that the permanent secretariat of the Association of Universities of the Caspian Sea region operates under this academic center.

The next meeting of the association is scheduled for mid-next year, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of its establishment, and is expected to be hosted by the university, with science ministers from member countries invited to attend. The association brings together 60 universities from five countries bordering the Caspian Sea, providing a unique platform for regional academic cooperation.

New cooperation frameworks and knowledge-based economy

The head of University of Guilan also noted the active operation of the Russian language department and the Farsi language teaching center of this university, announcing the university’s readiness to admit Russian students interested in learning the Persian language.

He further stated that the university has been selected as one of three institutions in Iran to help establish next-generation (fourth-generation) science and technology parks.

He expressed interest in benefiting from the expertise and technological capabilities of Russia in this field, including the possibility of inviting Russian technical specialists and partners to work in Iran.

During the meeting, the deputies of University of Guilan presented their perspectives on expanding cooperation in areas such as technology transfer, joint investment, the blue economy, and the development of shared value chains for agricultural product exports.

The discussions are expected to open a new horizon in scientific relations between Iran and Russia and contribute to strengthening science and technology diplomacy in the region.