Strengthening Cooperation with Iran

On a visit by a Swiss delegation to Iran at the end of February, UZH president Michael Hengartner and Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, president of the University of Tehran, signed a memorandum of understanding. The aim is to work on joint research activities, promote exchange among students and PhD candidates, and facilitate mutual visits by instructors for teaching and research.

In his capacity as president of swissuniversities, the conference of the heads of Swiss tier-one universities, universities of applied sciences, and universities of teacher education, Michael Hengartner also took part in discussions between representatives of Switzerland and Iran.

Swiss federal president Schneider-Ammann traveled to Iran with a delegation including members of the scientific and business communities. During the visit, Schneider-Ammann and Iranian president Hassan Rohani agreed a road map for deepening bilateral relations. The plan is to have regular political exchange between the two countries.

Following his visit, Michael Hengartner said how impressed he was at how rapidly science and the academy is presently developing in Iran, and at the quality of teaching and research at the University of Tehran. “I’m impressed by the openness and tremendous curiosity and willingness to learn I encountered among Iranian researchers,” he said, “and I’m looking forward to close, fruitful dialog between Zurich and Tehran."