ArmInfo. Representatives of the Qom University of Religions and Denominations (IRI) visited the Department of Iranian Studies of the Faculty of Oriental Studies of YSU and met with the faculty, discussing the prospects and further plans for cooperation between the two universities.
As reported by the press service of the Armenian Embassy in Iran, the delegation, headed by President of the University of Religions and Denominations, Dr. Seyyed Abolhasan Navvab, was accompanied by the head of the cultural center of the Iranian Embassy in Armenia Mohammad Asadi Movahedi. The meeting focused on the development of partnerships between the two institutions and the discussion of new programs.
Head of the Department of Iranian Studies at the Faculty of Oriental Studies at Yerevan State University, Professor Vardan Voskanyan noted that Yerevan State University cooperates with several major Iranian universities. "The Qom University of Religions and Denominations stands out in that it pays special attention to theology, religious studies, and Islam in the Middle East is of great importance both in terms of academic research and in the operational sector as an important factor in politics. In this regard, the broad opportunities for studying Islam in our country and cooperation with this university are also extremely important for us," Voskanyan added. The practical stage of cooperation between the two universities is planned to begin at the beginning of the 2024-2025 academic year. A lecturer from the Qom University will arrive at Yerevan State University to present Manichaeism, one of the important religions of pre-Islamic Iran. "This is especially important, since it is of great importance in the field of Iranian studies, and there are almost no specialists studying Manichaeism in Armenia. Professors from Armenia will also visit to the University to give lectures on the apostolic direction of Christianity," the statement said. During the meeting, an agreement was also reached on providing professional knowledge on the state religion of the Iranian Republic at YSU, on improving the quality of research in this area.
The parties discussed the program of the summer school with the participation of students and teachers of YSU and the University of Religions and Denominations of Qom.
The Memorandum of Understanding between YSU and the University of Religions and Denominations of Qom was signed in 2022.