On Sunday, May 7th, 2018, a meeting was held between H.E. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, Swiss State Secretary for Education, Research and Innovation and Dr. Karimi, TUMS Chancellor.

This meeting also saw the presence of a delegation from Swiss institutions, Deputy Minister for Education, Dr. Malekzadeh, TUMS Chancellor's Senior Advisor, Dr. Amini, TUMS Vice-Chancellors for Global Strategies and International Affairs, for Research and for Education, Dr. Kordi, Dr. Sahraian and Dr. Sohrabpour, Deans of TUMS Schools, Vice-Dean for International Affairs at TUMS School and TUMS faculty members.

TUMS was also host to a number of guests and dignitaries of Swiss embassy in Tehran, including Mr. Markus Leitner, Ambassador of Switzerland to Iran.

The meeting started with the recitation of holy Quran and Iranian and Swiss national anthems.

Greeting the Swiss State Secretary and the accompanying delegation, Dr. Karimi appreciated their presence at TUMS.

“Tehran University of Medical Sciences, as the oldest Iranian medical University values the importance of internationalization. Our commitment to the advancement of education in medical sciences is evident through our ever-expanding interactions with professors, researchers and students present in international academic landscapes”, indicated Dr. Karimi.

Dr. Karimi also mentioned TUMS mutual collaboration with Swiss institutions and universities so far and added: “We hope this meeting and the network between the researchers and professors strengthens our cooperation in the future.”

Mr. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio appreciated hosting the Swiss delegation and organizing the meeting. He added: “As the first step towards our collaboration, this is important for us to know more details regarding Iranian educational system and research projects. This meeting is a good opportunity for both parts to know some of the most well-known academics and researchers of Iran and Switzerland and start collaborations in common fields.”

He pointed out the fact that the Swiss delegation includes academics and researchers who have already the experience of collaboration with TUMS.

Later on, TUMS Vice-Chancellor for Global Strategies and International Affairs briefly mentioned the history of medicals sciences in Iran and said: “The achievements of scientists such as Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and Zakariya al-Razi proves the fact that medical education in Iran is rooted in the human history.”

He continued his speech, introducing the University, its schools, hospitals, rank and position at national and international level.

The next part of the meeting was dedicated to TUMS presentation.

In this regard, Dr. Malekzadeh, Dr. Ahmadian, Dr. Ay, Dr. Rokn and Dr. Rezaei gave short speeches regarding TUMS successful projects and achievements.

Dr. Sahraeian also presented TUMS research profile and mentioned the ongoing collaborations between TUMS and Swiss universities.

He introduced the TUMS research centers and institutes and stated: “So far, there have been many successful collaborations between TUMS research centers and the World Health Organization (WHO) within various projects.”

At the end, he declared TUMS readiness for mutual collaboration in the fields of medicine, pharmacology, toxicology and pharmacy, immunology and microbiology, genetics, molecular biology, nursing, neuroscience and dentistry.

Dr. Nekoofar, Director of International Relations, Accreditation and Ranking, dedicated his speech to future pathway towards collaboration and mentioned the potentials for Cotutelle PhD program, visiting professorship, summer schools and joint conferences at TUMS.

He also suggested the establishment of a joint campus in Kish Island while introducing TUMS International Campus in Kish.

Later on, some of the Swiss delegates attended the networking sessions and met with representatives from TUMS schools and research centers, as organized.

Afterwards, Leading House for Iran-Switzerland Academic Partnerships was inaugurated with the presence of TUMS Chancellor, Swiss State Secretary, Ambassador of Switzerland, TUMS Vice-Chancellors for Global Strategies and International Affairs and for Research, Director of International Relations, Accreditation and Ranking, Director of International Affairs and Development and some of the Swiss delegates.

At the end of their presence at TUMS, the Swiss delegates were given a complete tour of the TUMS Core Facility.