Meeting of the Cultural Counselor of Iraqi Embassy with the president of University of Tabriz

The Cultural Counselor of Iraqi Embassy in Iran met the president of University of Tabriz, while visiting the educational facilities of the university.

Dr. Amjad Al-Muzaffar, the Cultural Counselor of Iraqi Embassy in Iran, while talking to the president of University of Tabriz and a group of Iraqi students at University of Tabriz, visited some educational facilities of the university in city of Tabriz and Jolfa.

According to the report of Public Relations Department of University of Tabriz, Dr. Amjad Al-Muzaffar, the Cultural Counselor of Iraqi Embassy in Iran, during his visit of University of Tabriz, met Dr. Mir Reza Majidi, president of University of Tabriz and members of the Management Board of the university in Allameh Jafari Hall.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Majidi, President of University of Tabriz, while pointing to the historical antiquity of higher education in Azerbaijan and city of Tabriz, added: Tabriz has long been considered as the cradle of culture and science, and seven hundred years ago in this city in Rabe Rashid University as a comprehensive and entrepreneurial university, many students studied in different fields from different parts of the region.

The president of University of Tabriz, while pointing to some activities of University of Tabriz in the last eight decades and scientific and laboratory facilities and infrastructure, added: University of Tabriz as the second university in Iran in terms of history, involves 16 faculties at University of Tabriz and some others elsewhere, and benefits from outstanding professors and equipped laboratories.

Dr. Majidi, referring to 200 scientific memorandums with prestigious universities in the region and the world, added: Membership in prestigious scientific unions in the world and the region, joint research projects and exchange of doctoral students and admission of postdoctoral students from other countries, show serious determination of University of Tabriz's officials in expanding scientific diplomacy with different countries of the world and we are ready for scientific cooperation with Iraq, as well as the most scientific exchanges of our professors are with universities in Turkey and the United States.

The president of University of Tabriz mentioned the existence of cultural and religious commonalities with Iraq, as one of the factors in expanding the cooperation of University of Tabriz with Iraqi universities and added: In addition to cultural and religious similarities, the city of Tabriz and University of Tabriz are geographically close to Iraqi cities and due to ease of access to Tabriz, good welfare facilities in this city and also the high scientific potential of University of Tabriz, this university can be a reliable and good host for Iraqi students and upgrade the scientific capacity of professors and doctoral and postdoctoral students of that country.

Following the meeting, Dr. Asghar Asgari, Vice Chancellor of Research at University of Tabriz, while expressing capabilities of University of Tabriz in establishing joint courses with Iraqi universities, added: In addition to using the potential of technology and knowledge-based companies of University of Tabriz in order to meet the technological needs of Iraq in various fields, exchange of professors and use of study opportunities, holding short-term scientific and research courses for graduate students are of other possible opportunities to expand the scientific cooperation of University of Tabriz with Iraqi universities.

Dr. Asgari described the excellent quality of education at University of Tabriz, based on prestigious international rankings such as the Times and Shanghai, is one of the unique advantages of this university among universities in the region and added: With low tuition rates compared to other universities in the region, but the best educational quality, we can host Iraqi students at University of Tabriz in the form of continuous or short-term courses. Aras International Campus can also host Iraqi graduate students on Thursdays and Fridays. He also requested for a valid ranking list of Iraqi universities and training centers to facilitate correspondence related to inquiring of the approval of Iraqi students' credentials.

Following the meeting, Dr. Hossein Emamalipour, Vice Chancellor for Students Affairs of University of Tabriz, while announcing a report on the welfare facilities of University of Tabriz to foreign students, added: University of Tabriz provides services to all foreign students, especially Iraqi students with the lowest possible rate. The focus of University of Tabriz in cooperation with Iraq is from scientific and cultural aspect, and we are proud to hold a sport festival for foreign students at University of Tabriz, for the first time in the country.

Following the meeting, Dr. Tohidi, Vice Chancellor for Cultural and Social Affairs of University of Tabriz, while presenting a report on holding pilgrimage and cultural camps for foreign students, emphasized the full readiness to host Iraqi students.

Dr. Reza Mohammadi, head of the Center for Non-Iranian Students at University of Tabriz, while referring to 200 Iraqi students of University of Tabriz, added: For the new studying year, we have issued new admission certificates to about 600 students and by launching a four-language admission site, Persian language training center for Non-Persian speaking students at University of Tabriz and also facilitating the issuance of student visas, we intend to be a good host for foreign students, especially students from Iraq.

Following the meeting, Dr. Amjad Al-Muzaffar, the Cultural Counselor of the Iraqi Embassy in Iran, while praising the scientific reputation of University of Tabriz in international rankings, emphasized on the seriousness and determination of Iraqi universities in expanding scientific exchanges with University of Tabriz, especially in the field of laboratory, research and  promotion of the scientific capacity of professors and postdoctoral students in the form of study opportunities hosted by University of Tabriz, and signing of a memorandum of cooperation between Iraqi universities and University of Tabriz.

Dr. Amjad Al-Muzaffar emphasized that according to laws of the Ministry of Education and Culture of Iraq, applicants of study in Iran should study only in the top 10 universities in Iran, and added: According to Iraq's law, the certifications of graduates of the top 10 universities in Iran, of which is University of Tabriz, can be translated and have the necessary validity.

Dr. Amjad Al-Muzaffar, while welcoming the activities of University of Tabriz in the field of teaching Persian and specialized terms in each field to foreign students, added: the existence of desirable welfare and educational facilities, holding cultural and sport festivals for students is one of the advantages of studying at this university and University of Tabriz is a good option for Iraqi students to continue their education due to having outstanding professors in all fields and at all levels of education, and we hope that this cooperation will continue within the framework of the administrative laws and regulations of the two countries.

The Cultural Counselor of the Iraqi Embassy, while attending the Foreign Students Center of University of Tabriz and visiting the Consular Affairs and Persian Language Training Center for foreign students, met several Iraqi students and during a question and answer session with the presence of University of Tabriz’s officials, became aware of the suggestions and criticisms of students and while praising the hospitality and valuable activities of University of Tabriz, asked for some assistance to facilitate the affairs within the framework of laws of the two countries.

According to the report of Public Relations Department of University of Tabriz, Dr. Amjad Al-Muzaffar after visiting the Central Library and Documentation Center of University of Tabriz, continued his visit of the educational facilities of Aras International Campus, and during a meeting with Dr. Seyed Samad Hosseini, Head of Campuses of University of Tabriz, made good arrangements for the admission of Iraqi students to the Aras International Campus.