Speaking at a press conference in Tehran on Monday, Dr. Mansour Gholami stressed that today, significant numbers of foreign students are studying in Iranian universities.
According to Dr. Gholami, close to 75000 foreign students are currently studying in Iranian universities , which is what the sixth development plan envisaged. He said: "The number of foreign students studying in Iranian universities is very close to the 75000 figure, forecast in the sixth development plan. We are keen to attract foreign students for postgraduate degrees in Iran. They pay their tuition fees, and they study for a higher degree."
In further remarks, Dr. Mansour Gholami said; "The international relations centre at the science and technology ministry is coordinating between universities and has already carried out some good work in this regard. The campaign to attract foreign students into Iranian universities has already begun, but it is not up to speed as yet. One thing we must work on is to speed up the processing of applications of foreign students who want to study in Iran".
The science, research and technology minister added: "Iranian universities are seriously working on this. We must have a system, similar to that of other countries, to inform foreign students in a reasonable period of time, whether they have been accepted to study at an Iranian university."
Another issue is student visas, and my colleagues at the science and technology ministry have had a meeting with foreign ministry officials , and it has been agreed that Iranian embassies, consulates and diplomatic missions abroad must speed up the process of issuing visas to foreign students.
Another point is the services offered by Iranian universities to foreign students who wish to study here. These services must include educational services (classes and teaching ), research services for postgraduate students, and recreational services and sporting facilities.
