Exploring Opportunities for Scientific Cooperation with Germany in a Meeting between the University’s Office for Scientific and International Cooperation and the German Trade Brokerage and Developing Countries Association (DHV)

A meeting to explore avenues for expanding academic cooperation with Germany was held on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at the Office for Scientific and International Cooperation of the University of Applied Science and Technology. The session was convened at the request of the Association for German Trade Brokerage and Developing Countries (DHV).

During the meeting, Dr. Jazayeri, a senior member of the Association, presented an overview of the structure, position, and objectives of the DHV. He also outlined potential areas of cooperation and the Association’s facilitative role in fostering bilateral relations.

Subsequently, Dr. Bagheri Farahani, Acting Director of the Office for Scientific and International Cooperation, welcomed the Association’s initiative in strengthening collaborations with Germany. Emphasizing Germany’s significance and priority for the university in expanding its academic partnerships, he reflected on the university’s past cooperation with German educational institutions. He further noted that, given the growing demand and interest in the region, neighboring countries of Iran are increasingly eager to engage in skills training and the transfer of technical knowledge. Due to their non-governmental nature and operational flexibility, the university’s applied science centers are well-positioned to play a central role in training the skilled workforce needed in the region through cooperation with German educational institutions.

He also highlighted the unique characteristics of this university compared to others, particularly the structural link between applied science centers and the labor market. He added that utilizing the capacities of these centers could make it feasible to establish international branches of the University of Applied Science and Technology through the formation of consortia involving applied science centers, their supporting industrial and production units, and their German business partners — a prospect that has already attracted interest from several centers.

At the conclusion of the meeting, it was agreed that concrete proposals for defining bilateral cooperation be drafted based on the discussions held. It was also decided to initiate the exchange of information and lay the groundwork for a formal cooperation framework. Furthermore, the representative of DHV expressed the Association’s readiness to leverage its advisory capacity to help revive and build upon the university’s previous collaborations with German institutions.