In line with the development of international cooperation and with the aim of reviewing and facilitating affairs related to international students, a joint meeting was held on Tuesday. Attended by the international directors of the University of Kurdistan (UOK) and Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (KUMS), the session explored areas of cooperation and strategies to enhance services for international students.

The meeting was convened upon the official invitation of Dr. Farzad Parvizpour, Director of International Affairs at KUMS. Representing UOK were Dr. Hossein Bivarani, Director of International Affairs; Dr. Hemn Nourbakhsh, Director of International Students' Affairs; Dr. Najmeddin Jabbari, Head of the Persian Language Teaching Center for Non-Persian Speakers (AZFA); and Mr. Safizadeh, Head of the Consular Section.

Representing KUMS were Dr. Yadollah Zarezadeh, Vice Chancellor for Education and Chair of the meeting; Hojjatoleslam Val-Moslemin Davoud Behnasar, Cultural Deputy of the Supreme Leader’s Representative Office; Colonel Haghighi, Head of Foreign Nationals Affairs; along with a group of experts and colleagues from the KUMS International Affairs Directorate.

During the meeting, while exchanging views, the attendees emphasized the importance and role of international students in developing the scientific and cultural interactions of the universities, as well as the necessity of providing appropriate living and studying conditions for them. Furthermore, strategies for providing greater facilities to international students, accelerating and easing consular processes, and managing affairs related to obtaining visas and residencies were discussed.

Another key topic of this meeting was the Persian language education for international students of both universities, a responsibility managed by the AZFA Center at UOK. In this regard, the necessity of designing and implementing a suitable, flexible, and adaptable educational program was emphasized. This would enable international students to dedicate more time to learning Persian during their first academic semester and seamlessly connect with the scientific, cultural, and social environment of the host country and university.

Subsequently, the continuation of interaction and cooperation between the two universities in the field of international affairs and foreign students was emphasized. The attendees considered the synergy and exchange of experiences between the two institutions as a foundation for upgrading service quality and strengthening the international standing of the province's universities.

At the conclusion of this cordial meeting, KUMS presented plaques of appreciation to commend the efforts and cooperation of Colonel Haghighi, Head of Foreign Nationals Affairs; Mr. Safizadeh, Head of the UOK Consular Section; and Ms. Zand, UOK Consular Expert, for their contributions to facilitating international students' affairs and inter-university collaboration.

This meeting can be considered an effective step toward strengthening international cooperation, streamlining processes related to foreign students, and developing educational and welfare services for international students across the universities of Kurdistan Province.