There are lots of opportunities and potentials to expand cultural ties between Iran and Kazakhstan, said Head of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO) Mohammad-Mehdi Imanipour.
He made the statement in the opening ceremony of Iran’s literature and culture corner in the library of National Academy of Science, Republic of Kazakhstan.
He also pointed to the successful holding of the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions.
Imanipour emphasized the necessity of interaction and cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan in the fields of media, information, and exchange of scientific, educational and cultural experiences, particularly the peaceful coexistence of religions.
Referring to the meeting of President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with the Iran’s Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei in June, and his emphasis on cooperation between the two countries in the field of Iranian philosopher Farabi, Imanipour said Iranian officials intend to establish a joint committee to carry out joint studies on the Persian philosopher.
He stated that Iranian books in this library will be increased and new books and new scientific and literary resources will be available to scientists, researchers, Orientalists, professors and students of Kazakhstan.
Emphasizing the formation of the Farabi committee, he said, “We are ready to exchange historical sources related to Farabi that are kept in Iran.”
On the sidelines of the ceremony, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Iran’s Cultural Attaché Ali-Akbar Talebimatin and the deputy director of the library.
The deal is aimed to support the cooperation of the two countries in the field of librarianship.
In another meeting, Imanipour held talks with Kazakhstan’s Minister of Information and Social Development Darkhan Kydyrali.
The Iranian official said that knowing Iran and Kazakhstan’s potentials is necessary in expanding cultural ties.
Meanwhile, Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan announced his country’s readiness to cooperate in the establishment of Persian language education centers based in the universities of Kazakhstan.
Sayasat Nurbek made the statement in the 7th Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions held in Kazakhstan, asking for expansion of scientific and university cooperation with Iran’s high-ranking universities, IRNA reported.
The Kazakh minister also called for using both countries’ opportunities and potentials in the field of science to implement joint projects.
Nurbek said during a meeting with one of Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s representatives, we agreed to form a scientific committee to investigate the legacy of the great thinker Farabi.
Imanipour who presided over the Iranian delegation in the congress, said that the implementation of cultural agreements with other countries is one of the most important tasks of the organization.
He added, “Iran is ready to have a branch of Kazakhstan universities. We support scholarships and are ready to grant study opportunities to professors in the fields you are interested in.”
Imanipour stated that Iran-Kazakhstan relations are evolving and it is expected that the president of Iran will visit Kazakhstan next month.
He said that more than 20 Iranian professors are engaged in teaching and research activities in Nazarbayev University.
He stated, “Alongside the Bolashak Programme, we have sent 500 young students abroad. We would like our Kazakh students to study in Iran.”
The Bolashak Programme is a scholarship which is awarded to high-performing students from Kazakhstan to study overseas, all-expenses paid, provided that they return to Kazakhstan to work for at least five years after graduation.
The congress was held in the presence of Pope Francis.
Source: Iran Daily