Islamabad, 6 July 2022 (TDI): Ambassador of the Islamic Republic of Iran to Pakistan, Seyyed Mohammad Ali Hosseini, called on the Federal Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training Rana Tanveer Hussain in his office today.
Senior officials of the ministry including Secretary Education, Naheed S. Durrani, also attended the meeting.
In addition, there were representatives from HEC and NAVTTC.
Remarks of the Minister:
Minister Tanveer welcomed the Iranian delegation and said that the two countries have cultural, linguistic, and people-to-people bonds with each other.
He said that the Persian language is the mother of Urdu and has deep roots in Pakistan. Furthermore, he discussed the exchange of expertise and knowledge regarding Vocational and Technical Training and added that the two countries can benefit from their experiences.
Moreover, he welcomed the exchange of teachers and students to further mutual cooperation, especially for Skilled Vocational Training. He said that there is significant potential for cooperation between the two countries.
Subsequently, he added that Pakistan can learn from the expertise of Iran in Engineering, Nanotechnology, and Aerospace technology.
The Minister also shared that Pakistan is willing to offer scholarships to Iranian students in order to enhance mutual collaboration.
Remarks of the Ambassador:
Ambassador Hosseini said that the people of Iran have a deep affiliation with Pakistan and that Pakistan is a brotherly country to Iran.
He said that people have a lot of respect for Allama Iqbal as numerous bridges and roads are named after him. He also said that University to University cooperation and Technical Institution to Technical Institution collaboration are the ways forward.
Moreover, he shared that the University of Tehran is willing to make a Technology/IT park in Islamabad.
In addition, he said that MoUs should be expedited between Pakistani and Iranian Universities to enhance exchanges.
Lastly, he said that Iran and Pakistan have a border of 900 km and both countries should take advantage of that to strengthen each other.
Concluding remarks of the Minister:Â
Rana Tanveer Hussain said that the future is in Vocational Training for the population of Pakistan. He said that it provides the best opportunity for people to find jobs.
He also said that Pakistan and Iran should exchange teachers and students through NAVTTC to learn from the expertise of each other.
The Minister praised the current government’s efforts in modernizing the education system of Pakistan.
He thanked the Ambassador and highlighted the cordial and friendly relations between the two countries since 1947.
In conclusion, the Minister said that Iran was the first country to recognize the state of Pakistan. He said that the two countries have shared history and literature and there is a bonhomie between the two people.
He stated that the two countries should enhance and fine-tune their mutual relationship.
Aiman Iqbal is the Managing Editor at the Journal of Peace and Diplomacy published by the Institute of Peace and Diplomatic Studies (IPDS), and the Assistant Editor of The Diplomatic Insight magazine. She holds an MPhil in International Relations. She can be reached at aimaniqbal106@gmail.com
