"Promotion Wednesdays" Program Hosts Dr. Abtahi to Discuss International Scientific Collaborations at SBU. As part of the "Promotion Wednesdays" initiative—designed to enhance accountability, promote achievements, and ensure transparency in the performance of various faculties, research centers, vice-presidencies, and departments—Shahid Beheshti University’s (SBU) Public Relations Office hosted Dr. Abtahi, Director of International Scientific Collaborations. In this session, he provided insights into key events, achievements, and future perspectives of the international relations domain at SBU.
At the beginning of the session, Dr. Abtahi expressed his appreciation for this initiative by the Public Relations Office, describing it as a valuable effort to document the university's activities. He emphasized that the international relations sector's accomplishments stem from the contributions of previous directors and the collaborative efforts of various vice-presidencies and departments within the university.
Commitment to Internationalization for University Advancement and Scientific Leadership
Dr. Abtahi outlined his plans in two main categories: conventional and developmental initiatives. In the conventional category, his office provides daily support for international activities of faculty members and students, such as facilitating paperwork and correspondence for participation in international conferences, workshops, research programs, academic visits, and competitions.
He also highlighted the developmental programs undertaken by his office, noting that SBU’s International Day was held in November 2023, coinciding with the birthday anniversary of Martyr Dr. Beheshti and an international event. This event, attended by officials from the Ministry of Science, political figures, and ambassadors from friendly nations, honored distinguished faculty members and students in the internationalization field.
SBU Recognized for Exceptional Hosting of the National "Soraya" Festival
The National Soraya Festival, an initiative led by the International Scientific Collaborations Office, was one of the major events hosted by SBU last year. Dr. Abtahi explained that the Ministry of Science and the National Organization for Students entrusted SBU with organizing this event, which gathered over 1,000 participants involved in international student recruitment across the country. The festival recognized outstanding contributors to this field.
Notably, SBU's unique and exemplary organization of the festival, in collaboration with the Ministry of Science, earned the university special recognition from the Student Affairs Organization.
Active Engagement in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and BRICS
Dr. Abtahi emphasized that SBU, as a leading university, assumes a national responsibility in international collaborations. With Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), SBU has voluntarily, and based on key indicators, been designated as a strategic partner for the Ministry of Science and all Iranian universities in fostering scientific, technological, and innovation-based collaborations with SCO and BRICS nations.
He also highlighted SBU’s participation in high-level meetings with university presidents from BRICS countries, stating that numerous academic, research, and technological sessions are held within the BRICS and SCO frameworks. SBU actively represents Iranian universities in these discussions, with plans to further expand and strengthen its participation in the coming year.
SBU at the Forefront of Scientific, Educational, and Technological Cooperation with Russia and Central Asia
A key initiative of the International Scientific Collaborations Office in 2024 is the formal establishment of the Secretariat for Scientific, Educational, and Technological Cooperation with Russia and Central Asian Countries.
Dr. Abtahi explained that over the past ten years, the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology assigned certain universities as hubs for international collaborations with specific foreign universities. Since the beginning, SBU has been responsible for partnerships with Russian universities.
However, two years ago, the structure of these collaborations was revised, leading to the formation of dedicated secretariats for managing academic relations with different countries. This transformation further strengthens SBU’s role as a central hub for educational and research cooperation between Iran and Russia, as well as other Central Asian nations.
Shahid Beheshti University Appointed as the Secretariat for Iran-Russia Scientific Cooperation
Based on its outstanding track record in previous collaborations, Shahid Beheshti University (SBU) has been among the first universities to receive the official designation as the "Secretariat for Bilateral Scientific Cooperation" between Iran and Russia.
Scientific and International Events Between Iran and Iraq
Organizing joint scientific and cultural events with Iraq is another key initiative of SBU’s International Relations Office. Dr. Abtahi emphasized the significance of academic and international collaborations with Iraq, highlighting a strong mutual interest in strengthening these ties.
As part of these efforts, several bilateral events were organized in 2023, including:
A regional international conference in June 2023, attended by Iraqi academics. The first Iran-Iraq Science Forum in Mashhad. The second Iran-Iraq Science Forum in Karbala. These events resulted in the signing of 11 agreements and 17 memorandums of understanding (MoUs), further solidifying the academic and research cooperation between the two countries.
Expanding Relations with China
Strengthening relations with China is one of the key strategic goals of SBU’s International Relations Office for the upcoming year. Dr. Abtahi underscored the importance of China due to its population size, economic power, and global influence.
He expressed SBU’s commitment to fostering collaborations with leading Chinese universities, particularly in Chinese language education and China studies. Additionally, the university aims to welcome Chinese students through scholarship programs.
Dr. Abtahi also announced the arrival of a group of Chinese students who are set to begin a six-month academic program at SBU. Furthermore, he mentioned that students from Latin America have also been admitted, emphasizing the university’s efforts, in collaboration with the Vice Presidency for Education, to enhance both the diversity and quality of its international student body.
He concluded by stating that student diversity is a key performance indicator for SBU, and the university will continue working to expand its global outreach and attract a wider range of international students.