SL Embassy holds cultural awareness programme in Tehran

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Iran with the support of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, organised an educational and cultural exchange awareness programme at the Chancery premises, in Tehran, on 21 Sept.The Lankan Embassy in Tehran said that around 45 representatives from universities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, higher education institutes, media and other line agencies in Iran were in attendance. The objective of the programme was to create a platform to share the educational and cultural information and exchange available opportunities in the respective fields between Sri Lanka and Iran.

 Delivering the opening remarks, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Iran, G.M.V. Vishwanath Aponsu welcomed the distinguished participants and appreciated their interest to join hands with the Embassy in strengthening the educational and cultural relations between Sri Lanka and Iran. While highlighting the available opportunities in the fields of education and culture in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador emphasized the need for more awareness programmes among the students, scholars, academics and non-academics of the two countries.

Deputy Registrar Commander H.B.H. Deeshana delivered a virtual presentation giving an overview of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University including degree programmes, eligibility criteria, application procedure, course duration, enlistment of foreign students and officer cadets and other relevant details. He stated that under the academic exchange programme of the University, foreign students have the opportunity to apply for scholarships in degree programmes apart from payable courses.

Vice Dean of International Affairs of the Tehran University Prof. Roodabeh Bahramsoltani made a comprehensive presentation on “School of Persian Medicine” underlining the opportunities and prospects available for foreign students in medicine and pharmaceutical sectors in recognized Universities in Iran. Further, she emphasized the need to continue awareness programmes to build networks and partnerships in order to expand higher educational sector cooperation between Iran and Sri Lanka.

Representing academia, several Iranian scholars stated that they will share the information of the available degree programmes of the Defence University among the universities, high schools and other higher education institutes in Iran enabling interested students to follow suitable degree programmes in Sri Lanka. In response, the Sri Lankan envoy appreciated their genuine interest and looked forward to their continued cooperation.

Further, he stated that the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran is always ready to facilitate students who wish to enroll in their preferred degree programmes in higher education institutions in    both     Sri Lanka and Iran. Expert of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iran Mohomad Deldari thanked the Ambassador and the staff for organizing the programme and assured the fullest support of the Government of Iran.Dr. Zameer Careem, a scholar of the University of Colombo was the guest speaker of the awareness programme who focused on “Sri Lanka-Iran Relations” and covered all areas of cooperation in historical perspective.