Damascus, (SANA) – The Syrian Ministry of Higher Education and the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology signed on Saturday the minutes of the first meeting of the Syrian-Iranian Scientific and Technological Research Joint Committee and three agreements.

The minutes stipulated for cooperation in scientific research and technological development, cooperation in marine engineering and science gardens, establishing a mechanism for following up projects, participation in international activities and conferences, and exchanging information on admission systems in universities and new forms of education.

The cooperation also calls for establishing al-Farabi University in Syria and cooperating to hold higher studies in the fields of computerized construction mechanics, alternative energies, and biotechnology.

An agreement for reducing threats of earthquakes was signed, calling for cooperation in the field of seismic analysis and seismology, including designing programs, supervising students and holding intensive educational courses.

The agreement also stipulates for organizing joint research to assess potential damage from earthquakes, developing seismic analysis labs in Damascus University, and exchanging experts and publications.

The second agreement stipulates for holding a joint workshop on the medical, engineering and industrial applications of laser and developing joint research projects in the field of laser, including a project for designing and manufacturing a fiber optic laser at the 150 watts range.

The third agreement dealt with cooperation in the field of biotechnology by exchanging visits, developing cooperation programs, encouraging joint research, exchanging students, holding training courses and workshops, and exchanging publications.

The agreement also calls for encouraging and supporting biotechnology products and services.

H. Sabbagh / Ghossoun