According to the Public Relations Office of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs, Dr. Tavakolpour, the Scientific Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran to East Asia, Australia, and New Zealand, visited the University of Malaya (UM). During a session with the leadership of UM’s Faculty of Engineering, he discussed strategic pathways for advancing scientific diplomacy and expanding research collaborations between the two nations.
The meeting was attended by distinguished faculty members, including Professor Muwad Faisal (the Deputy of Research), Professor Nasrullah Anwar (the Deputy of Development), and Professor Nurin Vahida (the Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department), alongside several prominent professors. During the session, both parties evaluated the research capacities of UM’s Faculty of Engineering—which encompasses five major departments: Mechanical, Electrical, Chemical, Medical, and Civil Engineering—and emphasized the necessity of synergy in the field of emerging technologies.
Dr. Tavakolpour presented several proposals for the execution of large-scale, interdisciplinary research projects, which were met with enthusiastic reception from the Malaysian delegation. Consequently, it was agreed that specialized working groups from both sides would examine the operationalization of several key initiatives, including:
* The establishment of “Twin Laboratories”;
* The appointment of joint faculty supervisors;
* Faculty and student exchange programs;
* The issuance of joint degrees.
Furthermore, the discussion addressed the allocation of special scholarship quotas and academic sabbatical opportunities for Iranian students, a proposal that received a positive response from the university administration.
Following the meeting, the Scientific Attaché conducted an inspection tour of UM’s specialized laboratories, visiting facilities dedicated to Laser and Photonics, Advanced Materials, Hydraulics, Electron Microscopy, as well as the Machine Tool and CNC workshops.
On the sidelines of the visit, Dr. Tavakolpour met with Iranian research students currently enrolled in the faculty to monitor the progress of their research projects. The Iranian students expressed their satisfaction with the university's advanced laboratory facilities, recognizing the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Malaya as one of the premier academic centers in Southeast Asia.
The meeting concluded with the presentation of a commemorative plaque from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Malaya to the Scientific Attaché of the Islamic Republic of Iran as a token of successful cooperation.