Iran-Afghanistan University To Be Established Soon: Science Min.

Tehran, Dec 29, IRNA – Minister of Science, Research and Technology Kamran Daneshjoo announced upcoming establishment of Iran-Afghanistan University to undertake joint scientific and research works. In a meeting with the Afghan Minister of Higher Education Obaidullah Obaid, he referred to cultural, historical and religious commonalities and said that Iran is ready to make its experience in the area of higher education available to Afghanistan. Pointing to Iran's first position in science generation in the region and the country's 16th in the world current status scientifically, he added that it has managed to gain self-sufficiency in certain fields, such as aerospace, nanotechnology, biotechnology and the nuclear sciences. The West's main problem with Iran is the scientific achievements, he said, noting that they cannot tolerate this county's advancement in various fields. Science should be used in line with the man's progress but the global arrogance considers it an instrument for exercising dominance over the others. 'We are ready to undertake joint technical and engineering projects involving both states' experts,' he said, noting that this will benefit the two nations. Daneshjoo also voiced the Iranian universities' readiness to grant scholarships to the Afghan students. He further proposed the establishment of Persian language and literature centers and Islamic studies centers in the Afghan universities. Obaid, for his part, hailed the scientific exchanges between the two universities and said, 'Our Iranian brethren have never left the Afghan nation alone.' He hoped that mutual cooperation, especially in the field of higher education, will further improve. He welcomed Daneshjoo's proposals of granting scholarships to the Afghan students and promoting cooperation among the universities and said that the Afghan students are eager to continue studies in Iran given its scientific facilities and social situation. Currently some 4.5 million students are studying in Iran, he said, adding that that he is in Tehran to get acquainted with Iran's scientific advancements and transfer the Islamic Republic's scientific experience to his country./end