Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

At the beginning of this meeting, the President of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad pointed to the existing facilities and potentials at FUM and the high capacities of Mashhad as the cultural capital of the Islamic world. Dr. Kafi described the international academic relations of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad as ‘brilliant and promising”. He also expressed high hopes for the establishment of promising grounds in the relations between FUM and Montpellier 3 University.

Dr. Patrick Gilli, the President of Paul Valery University of Montpellier (Montpellier 3) subsequently expressed his gratefulness for visiting Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and said, “The two universities could collaborate in a wide range of study areas including the Humanities, Ecology, History, Geography, and Arts. Dr. Gilli also stated that some Iranian students are currently studying at Montpellier University, most of whom are from Mashhad. He then appreciated the opportunity for French students to learn Persian at FUM, and expressed his corresponding university’s preparation to hold French Language courses for Iranian students.

Several suggestions for mutual collaborations were presented at this meeting, such as establishing short-term language courses, holding mutual PhD programs, exchanging students and faculty members, and establishing mutual interdisciplinary fields of study.

In the next part of this meeting, Dr. Vahedian, the head of the International Academic Relations Department at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad provided a brief description of the history and status of FUM as the top third comprehensive university in Iran. Subsequently, the research and technology deputy at Ferdowsi University pointed to the signing of several memorandums of understanding between FUM and a number of well-known European universities. Dr. Bahrami stated, “Mutual collaborations may be initiated by signing a memorandum of understanding and we assure our dedication to implementing such memorandums here at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad”.

Ultimately, Dr. Hashemi, the educational deputy at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad emphasized the capabilities of FUM to provide educational services and resources for teaching Persian language at all levels. He also mentioned the possibility for creating mutual interdisciplinary majors.

At the end of this meeting, the official symbol of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad was dedicated as a memorial to the head of Montpellier 3 University.