Author: Hamed Amanollahi

In observance of International Women’s Day and the birth anniversary of Lady Fatimah Zahra (peace be upon her), international students gathered at the Office of International Students for a special commemorative event. The gathering served as both a cultural celebration and an expression of gratitude toward the university staff who support the international student community.

During the ceremony, students delivered heartfelt congratulations and acknowledged the tireless dedication of the office personnel in fostering an inclusive and welcoming academic environment. In a spirit of warmth and camaraderie, attendees presented flowers and symbolic gifts to staff members as tokens of appreciation and respect.

The event underscored the vital contributions of women within the academic sphere and reinforced the bonds of mutual understanding between international students and university administrators. Organizers described the occasion as a meaningful convergence of cultural heritage, gender recognition, and institutional solidarity.

The Office of International Students continues to serve as a cornerstone of support for the university’s diverse student body, promoting cross-cultural dialogue and community engagement throughout the academic year.

On Wednesday, 12 November, 2025, a delegation from the Embassy of Switzerland in Tehran—comprising Ms. Laurence Strübin, Deputy Head of Mission, and Ms. Valérie Wagner, First Secretary —visited Sharif University of Technology.

The purpose of the visit was to gain firsthand insight into the ongoing joint research project between Sharif University and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich). The visit was followed by a tour of the university campus, the Technology Services Complex, and several faculties.

A discussion on further expanding scientific, technological, and research collaboration then took place at the university’s International Affairs Center, attended by faculty members and students.

Dr. Roshandel suggested expanding joint projects in areas of mutual priority for Iran and Switzerland—including renewable energy, water resources, environmental sustainability, and improving the efficiency of agricultural and greenhouse systems.

Dr. Sadeghi also proposed strengthening existing international collaborations through expanded student and faculty exchanges, joint seminars and workshops, summer schools, and collaborative grant programs.

The Swiss delegation was very impressed by the current joint project between Sharif University and the ETH Zurich, and the results achieved so far. In conclusion, it was agreed that exchanges aimed at possible further collaboration between both sides will be pursued.

The inaugural science and technology park at the University of Baghdad in Iraq has been opened, drawing on more than two decades of experience from Sharif University of Technology to promote regional innovation.

According to the public relations office of Sharif University of Technology, the park's inauguration ceremony included the presidents of both universities. This effort is the outcome of more than 18 months of ongoing partnership, with Sharif offering a detailed plan for its establishment.

Sharif University has created a five-year plan to share its extensive experience in developing various elements of an innovation ecosystem with the University of Baghdad. The plan is structured into three consecutive phases: the initial one-year phase, followed by two phases each lasting two years, with defined steps, outcomes, and knowledge transfers for each.

The first phase, which has been successfully concluded, involved essential activities like allocating suitable spaces, identifying University of Baghdad faculty members with diverse expertise to support the commercialization of their research, conducting a SWOT analysis, and drafting initial legal provisions and regulations to enhance technology, innovation, and startup development in Iraq's scientific and technological environment.

A high-level delegation comprising presidents and senior officials from two of Iraq’s five Ministry of Higher Education–approved technical universities visited Sharif University of Technology on Monday, October 20, 2025 (27 Mehr 1404 in the Persian calendar). The visit aimed to foster academic and technological collaboration and gain firsthand insight into Sharif University’s research, laboratory, and innovation ecosystems.

Led by Dr. Alia Abbas Ali Al-Attar, President of Northern Technical University, and Dr. Wahid Amer Hatem, President of Central Technical University, the Iraqi delegation toured key facilities across the campus, including the Central Laboratories, the Dr. Roosta Azad Technology Complex, and the Tarasht Technology Tower.

The visit was organized at the request of Iran’s Deputy Minister of Science and followed a joint meeting between officials from Iran’s five UT5 Consortium universities and their Iraqi counterparts.

During the tour, the delegation explored Sharif University’s industry engagement initiatives at the Dr. Roosta Azad Technology Complex, where they were introduced to resident innovation centers and technology transfer offices. At the Central Laboratories, Iraqi representatives expressed strong interest in potential collaborations, particularly in joint laboratory testing and specialized training programs.

At the Tarasht Technology Tower, the group learned about Sharif Innovation District and its resident startups and tech companies. The Iraqi officials voiced their readiness to pursue joint ventures in technology development and innovation management.

A formal meeting was also held with Sharif University’s international and laboratory affairs leadership, including Dr. Sadeghi (Director of International Affairs Office), Dr. Taghipour (Director of the Central Laboratories), Dr. Bazargan (Director of International Student Affairs), and Dr. Jafari (Director of International Affairs at Sharif Science and Technology Park). Discussions focused on concrete avenues for bilateral cooperation in laboratory sciences, technology transfer, and student and faculty exchanges.

The visit marks a significant step toward strengthening academic and research ties between leading technical universities in Iran and Iraq.

SUT participated in the 12th International Student Exhibition, "EduTraC Oman 2025," held from September 28 to 30, 2025, in Muscat, Oman. The university joined the event as part of an Iranian delegation aiming to expand scientific collaborations and attract international students.

According to SUT’s Public Relations Office, the annual exhibition serves as a platform to promote Iranian higher education institutions, particularly to Omani students, and to explore and strengthen international academic partnerships with universities worldwide.

During the event, SUT showcased its academic strengths, facilities, and support systems for international students. Notably, the university also assumed the role of official representative for the “UT5 Consortium” for the first time at this exhibition. The UT5 Consortium comprises five leading Iranian technical universities: SUT, Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran University of Science and Technology, Isfahan University of Technology, and K. N. Toosi University of Technology. Representatives from these institutions coordinated their presence under the UT5 banner.

The exhibition welcomed over 60 higher education institutions from 19 countries, including Iran, Oman, Spain, Russia, Qatar, Japan, the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, France, and India.

In a significant step toward strengthening international academic collaboration, Sharif University of Technology and Al-Farahidi University of Baghdad have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly launch a Master’s program in Mechatronics.

Under the agreement, Sharif University will be responsible for delivering the academic curriculum, while both institutions will independently award their own degrees to graduates upon successful completion. Admissions for the inaugural cohort will open in the spring semester of the 2025–2026 academic year .

Dr. Masoud Tajrishy, Acting President of Sharif University, praised the efforts of the university’s International Cooperation Office and Al-Farahidi’s executive team in establishing the necessary legal and operation frameworks. He emphasized the importance of attracting talented and high-achieving students to the program.

Dr. Tariq Al-Khayyat, President of Al-Farahidi University, expressed strong support for the initiative, noting that his institution will provide a robust academic and research environment to ensure the program’s success and scholarly advancement.

This joint program marks a strategic move to enhance the quality of engineering education and foster deeper academic ties between Iran and Iraq.