A high-level delegation from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) of the Islamic Republic of Iran, led by Dr. Syed Mehdi Abtahi Forooshani, Deputy Minister, visited COMSATS University Islamabad (CUI)to explore avenues for strengthening bilateral cooperation in higher education, research, and innovation. The delegation was accompanied by Dr. Muhammad Roshan, Senior Advisor to the Minister, along with representatives from the Embassy of Iran in Pakistan and Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology.
The delegation was received by Prof. Dr. Raheel Qamar, T.I., Rector, CUI, and senior university officials. Discussions focused on expanding collaboration in teacher education, curriculum development, digital learning, artificial intelligence, educational technology, joint research, faculty and student exchanges, and the organization of joint academic seminars and webinars.
Presenting an overview of CUI’s academic excellence and institutional transformation, the Rector highlighted the University’s Digital Governance Ecosystem: Building a Greener, Smarter CUI, developed under his Green and Efficiency Initiative. He showcased CUI’s integrated digital platforms—including the Electronic Filing System (EFS), MeetingSphere, SmartSelect, Orbit, ThesisFlow@CUI, and Fiscus—operating through a Single Sign-On framework to enable intelligent, AI-driven governance. He noted that the EFS alone has eliminated the use of over three million printed pages annually, significantly reducing the University’s environmental footprint. The Rector also highlighted scholarship opportunities available to Iranian students for Master’s and PhD programmes at CUI.
Dr. Forooshani appreciated the University’s hospitality and commended CUI’s digital transformation initiatives. He highlighted Iran’s strong higher education and technology ecosystem and expressed confidence that closer institutional collaboration would further advance scientific research, innovation, and regional academic partnerships.
The delegation also visited the COMSATS Art Gallery, featuring artworks depicting Gaza and Iran, and the Junaid Zaidi Library.
Both sides agreed to strengthen institutional linkages through sustained coordination between the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran and Pakistan’s Ministry of Science and Technology. They also explored reciprocal scholarship opportunities for students from both countries, reaffirming their shared commitment to promoting academic excellence, scientific cooperation, innovation, and people-to-people connectivity.
