Following the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between Alzahra University and the University of Aleppo, International Academic Collaborations of Alzahra University hosted a delegation from the Syrian University of Aleppo on 8-10 January 2024 at Alzahra University, during which “Operating High-tech Laboratory Equipment” workshops and “Educational Language Session” were held with the presence of professors from the two universities. In this regard, the International Academic Collaborations of Alzahra University hosted the closing ceremony of the international scientific cooperation opportunities between Alzahra University and the Syrian Aleppo University on Wednesday, 10^th January 2024 at Parveen Etisami Hall. In this meeting, which was held with the presence of Dr. Zahra Nazem Bekaee, Chancellor of Alzahra University, Dr. Fakhri Sadat Hosseini, Director of International Academic Collaborations; Dr. Bahare Attaran, Head of the Chancellor’s Office and Public Relations, Dr. Roghayeh  Rostampour Maleki, Head of the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, and the deans and deputies of faculties of Life Sciences, Literature, Physics, and Engineering were present.

At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Fakhri Sadat Hosseini, welcomed the guests present at the meeting and members of the Syrian delegation and invited the Chancellor of Alzahra University to deliver her speech. Dr. Nazem Bekaee honored the memory of the martyrs of the path of freedom, especially Qasem Soleimani, and mentioned the progress of the international scientific works of the two countries of Iran and Syria. Dr. Nazem Bekaee emphasized two points: the first point was the importance of implementing the memorandums and making them operational in the form of joint thesis, training courses, publication of articles, etc. and proposed a six-month evaluation of these activities. The next point was to announce the readiness of Alzahra University as a center of higher education for girls and a base for communication between Aleppo University and other universities, so that these measures can be continued in line with the international scientific activities of the last three days.

After thanking Dr. Bekaee, Dr. Hosseini invited Dr. Maher Kerman, the president of Aleppo University, to present his speech to the audience. Dr. Kerman thanked and appreciated the hard work and effort of the executive staff of Alzahra University and the sincerity of this university's hosting of the Syrian delegation. Dr. Kerman considered the held meetings and workshops to be the first step for the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between the two universities and appreciated this opportunity to get to know the researchers and opportunities for joint cooperation. Dr. Kerman emphasized on the ten years’ history of relations between Iran and Syria and considered these two countries to be members of the axis of resistance. Regarding the importance of joint cooperation, he added: "The future belongs to science. As the President of Alzahra University mentioned earlier, we will conduct an evaluation on how the cooperation activities of the two universities are carried out. In line with the meetings, on behalf of myself and the accompanying delegation, I would like to thank Alzahra University for its invitation and declare our eagerness for further cooperation.

While expressing his satisfaction with the positive feedback of the Syrian delegation, Dr. Hosseini presented a short report on the actions taken during the past two days. The first part of this report was related to “Operating High-tech Laboratory Equipment” workshops that were held under the management of Dr. Hosseini as the head of Alzahra University laboratories. In these workshops, which were attended by the professors of Aleppo University in the specialized field of basic sciences and engineering, the facilities of Alzahra University were presented in the central laboratory, part of which was held in collaboration with other faculties such as the Faculty of Physics, Chemistry and Life Sciences of the university. After the return of the Syrian delegation to Aleppo, future actions will be carried out through the International Academic Collaboration on virtual platforms. These measures include a supervisor or joint advisor, webinars and various lectures, student exchange and joint research. In the language and literature section, five international scientific meetings were held under the management of Dr. Roghayeh Rostampour Maleki, who presented a brief report to the audience. Dr. Rostampour Maleki pointed out the titles and content of all five meetings with the speeches of the professors of Aleppo and welcomed the use of the facilities of these two universities.

Afterwards, the director of International Academic Collaboration invited the deans and deputies of the faculties to express the suggestions and cases of joint cooperation between Alzahra University and Aleppo University. Dr. Khadijah Kiarostami, Dean of the Faculty of Life Sciences; Dr. Mahbobe Mubasheri, the Dean of the Faculty of Literature and Dr. Negin Maftouni, the deputy of research and international affairs of the Faculty of Engineering, each introduced their faculty, various educational departments and the available capacities for international scientific cooperation. At the end of this meeting, Dr. Al-Sheikh Kaddour pointed out the importance of conducting research in the field of biological sciences and the existence of a very wide biodiversity in Iran and Syria, 60% of which are common. Dr. Mohammad Estifo, while thanking Alzahra University for its hospitality, called Iran a friend and brother country and then introduced the Faculty of Sciences of Aleppo University. Dr. Munzar Absi, as the former head of the Language Center of Aleppo University, mentioned the capacities of teaching Arabic and English, and Dr. Naeima Hassouki, professor of the Persian Language Department of Aleppo University, mentioned the importance of teaching Persian language and creating educational courses. At the end of the meeting, in recognition of the presence and cooperation of the University of Aleppo, the members of this Syrian delegation were awarded a commemorative gift and a certificate of appreciation by the International Academic Collaboration of Alzahra University.