Rector of Yerevan State University meets with UT President

In a meeting with Prof. Hovhannes V. Hovhannisyan, Rector Yerevan State University and accompanying delegation on 21 June, 2022, Prof. Moghimi, The President of the University of Tehran announced the UT readiness to open a branch of UT Science and Technology Park in Armenia, and expressed hope that the establishment of branches of knowledge-based companies located in the Science and Technology Park of the University of Tehran in the spaces provided by Yerevan University will become a good practical beginning for mutual collaboration.

Prof. Seyed Mohammad Moghimi, President of the University of Tehran in a meeting with the President of the Yerevan State University, which was held in the University Council Hall, mentioned interaction with universities in neighboring countries as a priority in organizing scientific cooperation.

"With the help of Yerevan State University, we are ready to work in the mutual areas of interest to improve relations between Iran and Armenia and the countries in the region," he said. He further added, “Armenia is one of the target countries to establish a branch of the University of Tehran”.

Referring to the request of Lebanon, Iraq, Qatar and Oman to establish a branch of the University of Tehran in these countries, he said: "If we want to implement the idea of ​​opening a branch of the University of Tehran in other countries, Armenia will be one of the options for this ideal.

Stating that the University of Tehran has 50 faculties, 130 departments and nearly a thousand fields of study, Prof. Moghimi , the UT President pointed to the history of concluding 600 agreements between the University of Tehran and various universities around the world and said: " A small part of these agreements have been implemented." In the new management period of the University of Tehran, we have set the principle that we can further implement these memoranda of understanding.

Referring to the cultural commonalities between Iran and Armenia, he added: "Armenia has always been one of Iran's priorities in expanding relations throughout history."

We Iranians have a positive intellectual background towards our Armenian people in Armenia; At the University of Tehran, we see the presence of Armenians in our country, both among students and among the faculty members of the university.

He also added: "We would like to have a quiet area full of peace and tranquility."

Undoubtedly, the role of Tehran and Yerevan universities can be a constructive and positive role in this regard.

The President of the University of Tehran concluded by emphasizing that the development of economic and social relations between the two countries can be achieved through scientific interactions. Economic and social relations between Iran and Armenia should be held with the support of the Armenian Embassy in Iran and at the initiative of the universities of the two countries, in which the University of Tehran and the Yerevan State University can play a pivotal role.

Prof. Hovhannes V. Hovhannisyan, Rector of Yerevan State University, pointed out that this University has a history of 103 years old. It is the largest university in Armenia and has 20 faculties, 13 institutes and institutes of studies and research, and 19,000 students. He said: "Let the focus of cooperation between the two universities be on the development of Persian language and literature in Armenia, because the interest and demand in Armenia for learning Persian language and literature, even in the form of short-term training courses, is high."

He added: "In recent years, the demand for studying Oriental Studies as well as Persian language and literature at Yerevan State University has increased internationally and from outside Armenia." Therefore, the exchange of experience and transfer of scientific capacities of the University of Tehran in these fields is an opportunity for Yerevan State University.

The Rector of Yerevan State University also explained in response to the President of University of Tehran about establishing joint cooperation by establishing branches of knowledge-based companies located in the Science and Technology Park of Tehran University in the spaces owned by Yerevan State University: Cooperation in the field of knowledge-based companies is one of our interests.

He also stated in this meeting: "The perception of Iran and Iranians in Armenia is a positive one." The perception of the Armenian society is that we are two friendly and brotherly nations

Prof. Seyed Mohammad Marandi, Vice President for International Affairs, Prof. Ali Asadi, President of the Science and Technology Park of the University of Tehran, Prof. Abdolreza Seif, Advisor to the President and Dean of the Faculty of Persian Language and Humanities, Prof. Zahra Imam Jomeh, President of Aras International Campus also expressed their viewpoints on cooperation with Yerevan State University. Other officials who were present in the meeting included Prof. Zebardast, Deputy Director for Office of International Students and Staff, Eskandari, Director General, Office of International Relations, Prof. Maftoni, Advisor to the Dean of the Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies on International Affairs and Ms.  Ebrahimi, Head of Department for International Cooperation.