Exploring Bilateral Academic Collaboration: Meeting with Mumbai University Board

On April 25 2024 a significant meeting took place between His Excellency Dr. Rezaei Eskandari Acting Consul General of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Mumbai with Dr. Ravindra Kulkarni the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Mumbai along with several board members and committee heads. The meeting aimed to discuss potential areas of collaboration for the educational institutions of both countries.

During the meeting, Dr. Rezaei highlighted Iran's rich educational history, dating back 1750 years, and the presence of prestigious universities in the country. He emphasized the significance of international cooperation in education, mentioning the 60,000 Iranian students who had previously studied in India, expressing hope for an increase in this number through joint efforts.

 

Dr. Rezaei also offered assistance in facilitating cooperation between Tehran University and Mumbai University, proposing initiatives such as webinars, mutual visits, and the drafting of memorandums to exchange professors and students.

 

In turn, Dr. Kulkarni provided an overview of Mumbai University, established in 1857, which is one of the largest universities globally in terms of student enrollment. He highlighted the university's vast infrastructure and its 56 departments spanning 11 categories. Dr. Kulkarni mentioned the extensive international collaborations of Mumbai University, particularly with institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.

 

Regarding scholarships for foreign students, Dr. Kulkarni explained the application process through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) or the university itself. He also highlighted specific departments, such as Traditional Indian Medicine (Ayurveda), and expressed interest in collaborations with Iranian universities in this field and in areas like nanotechnology.

 

Dr. Rezaei pointed out Iran's expertise in nanotechnology, biotechnology, biopharmaceuticals, and aerospace, as well as its focus on traditional medicine. He expressed readiness to coordinate bilateral cooperation in these fields.

 

Dr. Kulkarni discussed the possibility of establishing transnational education programs and mentioned his recent trip to England, where a Joint Certificate Course was launched. He expressed interest in establishing similar collaborations with Iranian universities.

 

In conclusion, Dr. Kulkarni appreciated Dr. Rezaei's proposal for a webinar to initiate bilateral cooperation, acknowledging the need for approval from the Maharashtra governor's office. He highlighted the importance of bilateral memorandums of understanding and their review by the governor's scientific and educational committee.

 

The meeting concluded with optimism for future collaborations, reflecting the shared commitment of both institutions to foster academic exchange and cooperation between Iran and India.