ISLAMABAD: A high-level delegation from Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) has visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI) to explore new avenues of cooperation in higher education, scientific research, artificial intelligence, and innovation between the two countries.

The Iranian delegation was led by Dr. Syed Mehdi Abtahi Forooshani, Deputy Minister at MSRT, and included Dr. Muhammad Roshan, Senior Advisor to the Minister, along with representatives from the Iranian Embassy in Pakistan and Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology.

The delegation was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, T.I., Rector of COMSATS University Islamabad, along with senior university officials. During the meeting, both sides discussed expanding academic partnerships through joint research projects, faculty and student exchange programmes, curriculum development, teacher training, digital learning initiatives, artificial intelligence, and educational technology.

Highlighting CUI’s institutional development and digital transformation, Rector Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar briefed the delegation on the university’s “Digital Governance Ecosystem: Building a Greener, Smarter CUI” initiative, aimed at creating an AI-enabled and environmentally sustainable academic environment.

He highlighted several digital platforms developed under the initiative, including the Electronic Filing System (EFS), MeetingSphere, SmartSelect, Orbit, ThesisFlow@CUI, and Fiscus, which operate through a Single Sign-On framework to improve governance efficiency and decision-making.

The Rector said the Electronic Filing System alone has helped eliminate the use of more than three million printed pages annually, contributing significantly to reducing the university’s environmental impact.

Prof. Dr. Qamar also informed the Iranian delegation about scholarship opportunities available for Iranian students seeking admission to Master’s and PhD programmes at COMSATS University Islamabad.

Appreciating CUI’s digital initiatives, Dr. Forooshani praised the university’s efforts in advancing technology-driven education and research. He highlighted Iran’s growing higher education and technology ecosystem and expressed confidence that stronger institutional collaboration between Pakistan and Iran would contribute to scientific advancement and regional academic cooperation.

During the visit, the delegation toured the COMSATS Art Gallery, which features artworks highlighting themes related to Gaza and Iran, as well as the Junaid Zaidi Library.

Both sides agreed to enhance coordination between Iranian academic institutions, the Embassy of Iran in Pakistan, Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology, and COMSATS University Islamabad to promote long-term partnerships.

The discussions also included reciprocal scholarship opportunities for students from both countries, reaffirming Pakistan and Iran’s commitment to strengthening educational links, research collaboration, innovation, and people-to-people relations.

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