University of Tehran to open branch in Iraq with 14 academic programs

Iran's Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Hossein Simaei-Sarraf, announced on Tuesday that the University of Tehran will soon open a branch in Iraq offering 14 academic programs. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a ceremony at the University of Science and Technology, Simaei-Sarraf said the initiative had received approval from the Iraqi government, according to Press TV. He emphasized the importance of international academic and cultural exchanges, stating that education contributes to the promotion of peace, ethics and tolerance, particularly when it extends beyond national borders. "Through this process, we learn from students and countries around the world while also sharing our own knowledge and experience with them," he said. Simaei-Sarraf expressed hope that academic cooperation between Iran and other countries would continue to expand.

At the same ceremony, Iraq's Ambassador to Iran, Yasser Abdul-Zahra al-Hajjaj, confirmed the approval of the University of Tehran's branch in Najaf. He also expressed hope that branches of Sharif University of Technology and Iran University of Science and Technology would be established in Iraq in the future. Hajjaj said cooperation in technology could be strengthened by fostering closer links between technology organizations and moving beyond the exchange of experiences toward the implementation of joint projects. "The Republic of Iraq is ready to develop its scientific relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran on the basis of shared interests and forward-looking academic cooperation," he said.

The announcement marks a step in expanding academic ties between the two neighboring countries. The University of Tehran, one of Iran's oldest and most prominent higher education institutions, will operate the branch with the approval of the Iraqi government. The specific timeline for the opening was not provided, but Simaei-Sarraf said it would begin operations "in the near future." The move is part of broader efforts to enhance scientific and cultural cooperation between Iran and Iraq, with both officials highlighting the potential for joint projects and knowledge exchange.

According to Mehr News, the ceremony at the University of Science and Technology served as a platform for discussing these educational initiatives, underscoring the mutual interest in strengthening academic relations.