Iran, ECO Educational Institute agree to expand scientific cooperation

Pars Today – Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology and the President of the ECO Educational Institute (ECOE) emphasized expanding scientific and academic cooperation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the ECO Educational Institute on the sidelines of the Türkiye Educational Technologies Summit (TETZ).

According to Pars Today, citing IRIB News Agency, Hossein Simaei, Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology, met with Akif Kırkçı, President of the ECO Educational Institute, and said:

"During the 12-Day War and the Ramadan War, dozens of professors and students in Iran were martyred. Science has no geographical identity; it belongs to all humanity. Therefore, the attacks by the United States and the Zionist regime on Iran's universities were attacks on humanity's shared heritage."

The President of the ECO Educational Institute also said during the meeting:

"I have traveled to Iran several times and have had a very positive experience. The project to digitize the cultural heritage of ECO member states is currently under review."

The expansion of cooperation between Iranian universities and those of ECO member states, faculty and student exchanges, the organization of joint training courses and workshops, the implementation of collaborative research projects, support for technological initiatives, and the use of artificial intelligence and other emerging educational technologies were among the main topics discussed. Both sides agreed to further examine these areas and pursue closer cooperation.

In the same context, speaking at the Educational Innovations Summit in Turkey, Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology referred to the rapid evolution of emerging technologies and said:

"Artificial intelligence technology is transforming human interactions at an unprecedented pace across various dimensions. Higher education has moved beyond the mere transfer of knowledge and entered a new phase of transformation based on digital education, intelligent learning, educational equity, and personalized learning."

He added:

"No intelligent technology, on its own, will be capable of transforming education or shaping its desired future unless it is employed within the framework of sound educational principles, values, and pedagogical foundations."