According to the Public Relations Office of the Student Affairs Organization, the MoU signing ceremony was held with the participation of the presidents and senior officials of both universities, as well as the Scientific Counselor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China.
At the meeting, the President of Qingdao University briefly introduced the university’s history, academic disciplines, and the status of its international cooperation. He noted that the university has consistently adhered to a development philosophy rooted in local strengths while serving national goals with a global outlook. Leveraging the geographical advantages of Qingdao as an international coastal city, the university has continuously strengthened disciplines related to marine sciences and technologies as well as interdisciplinary fields, playing a positive role in advancing Iran’s maritime power strategy and the region’s economic and social development.
He added that Chabahar University of Maritime and Marine Sciences possesses distinctive strengths in maritime and ocean-related fields, and that its commitment to international standards and its pragmatic development philosophy are highly compatible with those of Qingdao University. Expressing hope that the signing of this MoU would serve as a starting point, he emphasized the importance of deepening practical cooperation in different areas such as faculty member and student exchange, joint research, and academic program development, as well as advancing collaborative projects.
Dr. Amir Rejaei, the President of Chabahar University of Maritime and Marine Sciences, stated that Chabahar Port enjoys significant geographical advantages and that the University has long been actively engaged in human resource development and scientific research in marine sciences and maritime transportation. He added that establishing a cooperative relationship with Qingdao University provides an important opportunity to strengthen international exchanges and deepen collaboration with Chinese universities. He expressed hope that the two sides would pursue practical cooperation in maritime studies, logistics, and related research fields, and jointly educate multidisciplinary graduates with an international outlook.
Amin Bazrafshan, Iran’s Scientific Counselor, stated in his remarks that Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research and Technology places great importance on exchanges and cooperation between Iranian and Chinese universities. He added that the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China is willing to actively support cooperation between Qingdao University and Chabahar University of Maritime and Marine Sciences in areas such as maritime affairs, logistics, fisheries, and marine sciences, so that research outcomes may better serve economic and social development.
Following these remarks, the two universities officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement marks Qingdao University’s first collaboration with an Iranian university and also signifies the completion of Qingdao University’s academic cooperation coverage with all official member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. The agreement is considered highly significant for supporting China’s “Belt and Road” Initiative.
It is worth noting that the meeting was attended on the Chinese side by the President of the University, Zhiqiang Wei; He Yan, a member of the Standing Committee of the Party and the Vice President of the University; and Mr Wang, the Director of the International Office. On the Iranian side, participants included Amir Rejaei, the President of Chabahar University of Maritime and Marine Sciences; Ali Beikian, the Vice President for International Affairs; Rezapour, the Vice President for Academic Affairs; and Amin Bazrafshan, the Scientific and Educational Counselor of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in China and the Scientific Counselor and the Supervisor of Iranian Students in China.