HYDERABAD, Nov 23: The Sindh University (SU) and Iranian universities will soon sign memorandum of understanding (MOU) for exchange of delegations and scholars, said the Consul General of Iran in Karachi, Masoud Mohammad Zamani.

He said it in a meeting of Iranian delegation with the Vice Chancellor Sindh University Mazharul Haq Siddiqui here, on Friday. The delegation included Abbas Roohani In-charge Iranian Cultural House Hyderabad, Hassan In-charge Students Consultant, Consulate General Karachi and from the Sindh University Dr Mohammad Qasim Bughio, Dean Faculty of Arts, and Dr Hafiz Abdul Ghani Shaikh attended the meeting.

Masoud Zamani said he desired to visit the SU for it being engaged in the promotion of Persian and other languages, and cultures.

“Our visit to the SU is aimed at initiating educational and research programs,” he said and added “Pakistan and Iran are close friends with Persian language a major link between the two.”

He said after revolution, the Islamic Republic of Iran had begun different disciplines of science and technology in its universities.

He said the Iranian government had been awarding scholarships for Pakistanis and on the recommendation of Pakistani government the same will be honored to more universities including, the SU.

Vice Chancellor Mazharul Haq Siddiqui appreciating delegation’s visit for the promotion of languages and literature said at present 19,000 boys and girls students were studying at 52 centres, institutes and departments of the Campus, and 80,000 in affiliated colleges.

He said a large number of foreign students, including from Iran were studying in various disciplines. The VC said contribution of articles by Iranian scholars on language and literature will be appreciated for publication in research journals of the Institute of Languages with the hopes of it being materialized by scholars.

The Consul General presented a book of poems to the VC and in return received books published by the Institute of Languages and Faculty of Arts.

Meanwhile, the Consul General and the Iranian delegation also met and discussed matters of mutual interest with Vice Chancellor, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences Prof Noshad Ahmed Shaikh.

Prof Noshad briefed the delegation about the development projects and said the examination system had been computerized and standard of medical education improved.

Consul General told the Vice Chancellor the scholars of SU will be welcomed at international medical seminars being held at medical universities and colleges in Iran.