The delegation led by Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour, Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), arrived in Armenia on an official visit.
During the visit, Doctor Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour met with the YSU rector, faculty members and students of the Iranian Studies Chair.
The meeting was attended by Artur Martirosyan, Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Republic of Armenia, Mehdi Sobhani, Ambassador of the Republic of Iran to the Republic of Armenia, Mohammad Asadi-Movahed, Cultural Attaché, Alexander Margarov, Head of the YSU International Cooperation Office, Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the Faculty of Oriental Studies, Vardan Voskanyan, Head of the Chair of Iranian Studies, as well as representatives of departments.
The purpose of the Iranian delegation's visit to Yerevan State University was to expand Armenia-Iran relations in the academic sphere, as well as to get acquainted with the activities of the Chair of Iranian Studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies, YSU.
Discussions revolved around the potential developments in educational relations between the two countries and the implementation of joint projects, emphasizing especially the implementation of exchange programs for students and lecturers.
Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour, highly appreciating the policy of teaching regional languages in Armenian schools, noted that inter-university contacts will promote the development of intercultural dialogue in the region.
YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan stated that the Chair of Iranian Studies of the university is a significant educational, analytical and expert center, which greatly contributes to the strengthening of friendly ties between the two countries. He also expressed hope that forthcoming joint projects will lead to an expansion of bilateral relations, providing new opportunities and prospects for development.
Following the meeting with the rector, the Iranian delegation met with the teaching staff and students of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies.
Ruben Melkonyan, Dean of the YSU Faculty of Oriental Studies, attaching importance to the visit of Dr. Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour, Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Iran, as well as other members of the delegation to the university, said: "Lecturers from the Chair of Iranian Studies at YSU teaching various subjects such as "Persian Language", "Persian Literature", "History of Iran", alongside students studying Iranian literature, history, culture, are present here. Dating back to the establishment of the university, Persian was among the first subjects taught at the university over 100 years ago. And this is also one of the most vivid examples of the centuries-old friendship between Armenia and Iran."
The head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, highly appreciating the activity of the chair, noted: "The Chair of Iranian Studies at YSU is the only educational institution that is widely known in Iran. When we talk about Persian language teaching in the Republic of Armenia, we first of all think of YSU and the Chair of Iranian Studies of YSU. This business trip is of paramount importance to us, as mutual contact provides an opportunity to broaden the scope of cooperation. I aspire to develop an exchange program, as part of which Armenian students will come to study with us and gain a deeper insight into Iranian culture."
Professor Vardan Voskanyan, Head of the Iranian Studies Chair at YSU, presenting the activities of the chair, noted that it works not only in the educational field but also in the field of culture and civilization.
"The Chair of Iranian Studies of YSU is an important center since it provides a cultural environment facilitating the development of political, economic, cultural, and other relations between the two states and peoples, whose historical connections date back thousands of years," pointed out V. Voskanyan.
Following the speeches, a discussion ensued involving lecturers and students, during which various directions of cooperation were proposed, in particular, joint publication of books and textbooks, the opportunity for students to undergo training in Iran, and more.
