The Islamic World Science Citation Center (ISC) has announced plans to strengthen scientific collaboration with universities in Malaysia and Turkey through expanded research partnerships and academic exchanges. Mohammad-Mehdi Alavianmehr, head of the ISC, conducted virtual meetings with officials from the University of Malaya, the National University of Malaysia, and Istanbul Okan University to discuss potential avenues for cooperation.
Alavianmehr outlined the ISC’s mission over the past two decades as a key reference system for ranking universities and research institutions within the Islamic world. He emphasized the importance of science diplomacy, international academic networks, and joint research initiatives in elevating the scientific status of member institutions globally. Proposed areas for collaboration included scientometrics, research evaluation, science and technology policy, artificial intelligence, and faculty and student exchanges.
Representatives from the Malaysian universities presented their global and regional rankings, highlighting their achievements in higher education, research, and innovation. They expressed interest in expanding academic programs, increasing international cooperation, and facilitating greater academic mobility. Turkish officials from Istanbul Okan University similarly underscored strategies for internationalizing higher education, implementing joint projects, and participating in programs such as Erasmus+. Officials from Iran and Turkey indicated plans to formalize agreements through a memorandum of understanding.
Earlier discussions in May between Iran’s scientific counselor for East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, Alireza Tavakolpour, and University of Malaya officials further explored expanding scientific ties. The meeting included representatives from UM’s international relations, engineering, and medical faculties. Both sides agreed to pursue a joint action plan focused on science diplomacy and collaborative research priorities.
Separately, Iran and Turkey are working toward establishing a joint innovation center designed to foster cooperation beyond academic research. According to Mohammad-Nabi Shahiki, an official at Iran’s Ministry of Science, nine collaborative technology projects are in development as part of this initiative. The goal is to create a synergistic network involving research institutes, technology parks, and universities to advance education, research, and applied technologies.
The Iran-Turkey Science and Technology Week is scheduled for later this year in Urmia and Tabriz, two cities in Iran’s West and East Azarbaijan provinces. Ehsan Qaboul, head of the ministry’s center for international scientific cooperation, stated that the event aims to deepen ties between Iranian and Turkish scientific communities through joint projects, student exchanges, and academic workshops. Discussions have also included joint supervision of dissertations and establishing scholarship programs to facilitate cross-border education.
Turkish ambassador to Tehran Hicabi Kirlangic highlighted logistical challenges, such as visa issuance and certificate recognition, calling for transparent mechanisms to build trust among students and families. Iranian officials noted their readiness to welcome more Turkish students, particularly in medical fields, where over 130 Turkish nationals currently study in Iran.
Together, these efforts reflect a concerted push to enhance scientific collaboration across the Islamic world and Asia through strategic partnerships, shared research goals, and initiatives that link universities, research centers, and technology hubs across the three countries.