Salar Amoli’s Meeting with the Deputies of International Affairs of Iran’s Major Universitie
In his webinar meeting with the deputies of international affairs of Iran’s major universities, Dr. Hossein Salar Amoli, the Acting Minister for International Scientific Cooperation, emphasized the use of scientific potential to fight COVID-19 and transform its threat to an opportunity for the development of scientific communication. Dr. Salar Amoli stated: ‘Inhuman sanctions against Iran have gradually targeted scientific field as such that we witness some countries are trying to limit or suspend Iran’s international scientific communication.’ He added, ‘various plans and different programs, including point-to-point, capillary, regional and international communications, have been initiated. Indeed, the MSRT international communications have followed this line of thought and achieved major successes.’
Highlighting the specific current situation, Dr. Salar Amoli said: ‘COVID-19 outbreak has harmed people’s health and the country’s economy. Nonetheless, we should not lack a comprehensive plan and policy. Although it has changed the extent and content of international cooperation, the scientific community can transform it into an opportunity for scientific cooperation with new forms and paths. From this perspective, we have put several major programs on the international communication agenda. Major among them is our request from some university deans to communicate with their foreign counterpart universities and criticize unjust sanctions against Iran in the middle of the country’s fight COVID-19 while requesting for the globalization of opposition against sanctions. Also, ‘No to Sanctions’ Campaign has been led by the commission of scientific associations as well as science and technology NGOs. Furthermore, Iranian universities are going to establish dialogue chambers with their international partners to consult about specific issues related to Covid-19.’
In this meeting, university deputies of international affairs discussed new plans for accepting international students in online programs as well as specific Iranian students, researchers, and professors stuck abroad. The webinar meeting was held by the deputy of the international affairs of the University of Tehran.
