During a visit to Ankara and meeting with Ankara University President, Dr. Necdet Onuvar, His Excellency, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Dr. Naeem Abd Yaser Al-Aboudi reviewed fields of scientific and academic cooperation.

Dr. Al-Aboudi stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation in the scientific and academic fields, developing scientific and cultural exchange aspects and enabling the universities of the two countries to pursue academic programs of common interest.

His Excellency called for developing partnerships and cooperation between institutions of Higher Education and Scientific Research in the two countries, exchanging academic visits, participating in conferences, symposiums and joint research projects, exchanging scholarships and developing study programs for granting Ph.D. and academic residencies.

Dr. Al-Aboudi said that Iraq has established its pioneering initiative, “Study in Iraq” with the aim at attracting international students to Iraqi universities, achieving knowledge and cultural exchange and strengthening academic relations with countries around the world.

His Excellency extended an invitation to the President of Ankara University to visit Iraq within the framework of strengthening relations, activating communication with scientific institutions and learning about the Iraqi experience in this field.

For his part, the President of Ankara University highlighted that Turkey and Iraq have an ancient cultural heritage that paves the appropriate ground for further participation and cooperation in all fields, especially scientific and cultural.

Dr.Onuvar added that the exchange of fellowships and scholarships for students from both sides will contribute in strengthening bilateral relations.

Dr.Onuvar appreciating the direction of State’s institutions of the Iraqi government that aim at establishing rapprochement and achieving results that serve the interests of the two friendly countries.