The first gathering of international students studying in universities in Zanjan province has been held at the IASBS. The one day gathering was held at the IASBS Conference Hall on 14 February 2024. More than 120 international students from Afghanistan, Belgium, Pakistan, Senegal, Syria, Iraq and Lebanon participated in this gathering, which was held in collaboration with Zanjan University of Medical Sciences and Health Services and Zanjan University.

In this one-day programme, which was held with the cooperation of several international students of the province as reciters of the Holy Quran, masters of ceremony, and programme presenters introducing their countries and universities, in addition to the chancellors and and vice-chancellors of the universities of Zanjan province, the Mayor of Zanjan, Dr Alireza Firouzfar, the representative of Zanjan province’s Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Department, the representative of Zanjan Province’s Passport, Immigration and Aliens Department, the representative of Zanjan Province’s Consular Affairs Department and other guests were present.

At the start of the programme, the IASBS President, Prof Babak Karimi, welcomed the guests and international students of the universities of Zanjan province and said that scientific and international collaboration is a strong bridge between countries and has a synergistic effect in communication in all fields requiring the attention of the country’s officials and policy makers to facilitate this type of communication. He pointed out that the universities of Zanjan province, especially in recent years, have shown that they are in a favourable position in attracting international students.

 In the continuation of the programme, the Mayor of Zanjan, Dr Alireza Firouzfar, the Chancellor of Zanjan University, Dr Jalaal Baazargaan, and the Vice-Chancellor of Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Dr Eskandari, took the floor. Then, the top international students of each university, as well as the directors and those involved in the international affairs of the province, were  thanked and applauded for their efforts.

 In the middle section of the programme, the international students of Zanjan province introduced their countries and in the final part there was a live music performance. After the "viewpoint" section where the international students gave their impression of their universities, prizes were awarded to the winners of the student life photography contest and the calligraphy contest that had been held parallel to the ceremony.

After prayers and lunch, the students visited the Historical Dome of Soltaniyeh and the Chalabi Oghli Mausoleum under the auspices of the Department of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Zanjan Province.