Ferdowsi University of Mashhad

A memorandum of understanding was signed virtually between Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM) and the University of Pretoria (UP) by the presidents of the two universities to expand the fields of scientific cooperation and knowledge exchange between the two universities.

Prof. Mohammad Kafi, President of FUM, at the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Understanding emphasized the development of international scientific cooperation with prestigious universities in Africa, especially universities in South Africa, and introduced the scientific and international capacities of these universities as very valuable and efficient for the university. Acknowledging that today African countries have a very high capacity to send students and on the other hand it is possible to implement research and technology projects with them, Dr. Kafi introduced Ferdowsi University of Mashhad as a pioneer in the scientific expansion of cooperation with Africa.

Dr. Ehsan Ghabool, Head of International Academic Relations of FUM, referring to the plans of FUM to expand cooperation with universities in African countries, pointed to the number of students and language learners admitted to universities in Africa during the current year, which is unprecedented in the history of international scientific cooperation. He praised the capacity of some faculty members, including Dr. Mohammad Arashi, to expand relations with African universities, and expressed hope that the capacity of other faculty members would be used.

The UP which was founded in 1908 and with about 40,000 students is one of the largest universities in South Africa, with 2,000 students from 60 different international countries. The UP has nine campuses, including Economics and Management, Engineering, Health Sciences, Humanities, Law, Natural and Agricultural Sciences, Education, and Veterinary Sciences. The university offers more than 1,800 curricula in African and English and has partnerships with more than 100 universities around the world. It is also ranked 601st in the Times and 561st in the QS.

The UP is approved by the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology of Iran and is in the group of A (excellent) universities.

The signing of this memorandum was achieved by Dr. Mohammad Arshi, Associate Professor of Statistics at the Faculty of Mathematical Sciences, and while appreciating the cooperation with this management, he is introduced as the liaison between the two universities.