Six presidents from universities across the U.S. will visit Iranian universities next month, on the invitation of the president of Sharif University of Technology in Tehran, one of the country's premier science and technology universities, a statement by the University of Maryland said today.
The visit, which is sponsored by the US State Department, is part of a series of exchange visits organized by the Washington DC-based National Academy of Sciences [NAS] and the National Academy of Engineering [NAE], to discuss topics of mutual scientific interest.
"The delegation's focus is on strengthening academic ties and exchanges," said University of Maryland President C.D. (Dan) Mote, Jr. "Strong academic ties can help provide the basis for greater understanding between the two countries," he added.
Joining Mote are the presidents of Carnegie Mellon University, Rice University, University of Florida, Cornell University and University of California, Davis.
The delegation will meet with academic leaders, faculty and students, and participate in an open forum with students at Sharif University. They will also visit a number of other Iranian universities, including Tehran University.
The University of Maryland has a number of academic programs on the Middle East. In 2004, the Roshan Cultural Heritage Institute Center for Persian Studies was established, which offer programs in Persian language, literature and classical cultures and civilizations.
The state-sponsored Persian Flagship Program is another program at the university and offers two graduate programs in the Persian language.
Additional programs include a center for Jewish studies, a forum on peace and development in the Middle East, and an institute for Israel studies.
"This trip will strengthen these efforts and further our understanding of the Middle East," Mote said.
Representatives from the NAS and NAE visited Iran last October and pledged to expand cooperation on scientific research.
Sources: University of Maryland website, National Academy of Sciences website
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