Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Mohammad-Ali Zolfigol, has appointed Nader Nourmohammadi as the country’s science attaché in Iraq. The main responsibilities of the appointed science attaché include identifying capacities and scientific facilities in Iraq, fostering scientific connections and cooperation with universities and research institutions in Iran, and attracting students and technologists.
In May 2023, Iraqi Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Naeem Al-Aboudi, expressed that many Iraqi youths are interested in continuing their higher education in Iran. He emphasized that the demand for studying in Iran is high, with a large number of Iraqi students interested in pursuing higher education in Iran. Al-Aboudi made these statements during a meeting in Tehran with Zolfigol, where he mentioned that 75,000 Iraqi nationals are currently studying in Iranian universities.
Zolfigol stressed the importance of increasing joint scientific exchanges between Iran and Iraq and organizing joint seminars. He suggested that holding a meeting between heads of universities and research and technology centers of the two countries could enhance cooperation. In July 2022, the Iranian deputy science minister Vahid Haddadi-Asl prioritized increasing academic cooperation with Iraq among Islamic and neighboring countries.
During a meeting with Iraqi Ambassador to Tehran Naseer Abdul Mohsen Abdullah, Haddadi-Asl highlighted that Iraq has the largest number of foreign nationals studying in Iran, making it crucial to address their issues. Overall, both Iranian and Iraqi officials are focused on strengthening scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries.