TUMS Joins the Shanghai Cooperation Organization University Council

Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS) has been admitted as an official member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) University Council, marking a significant milestone in the university's international engagement and expanding opportunities for collaboration in education, research and innovation across one of the world's largest regional organisations.

The membership was confirmed in July 2026, following coordinated efforts by the Office of International Relations at TUMS. The decision follows the 10th Meeting of Ministers of Education and Science of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Member States, held on 16 June 2026 in Minsk, Belarus, where senior officials discussed strategies for strengthening multilateral cooperation in higher education, science and technology.

During the ministerial meeting, the Iranian delegation presented three strategic proposals to enhance academic collaboration among SCO member states. These included promoting the exchange of talented students, researchers and academics; establishing a network of innovative and technology-driven universities; and creating joint research consortia in priority fields such as natural resource management, artificial intelligence and advanced pharmaceutical technologies.

As a member of the SCO University Council, TUMS will have greater opportunities to participate in collaborative education and research initiatives, develop institutional partnerships, and contribute to regional programmes addressing shared scientific and healthcare challenges.

Discussions held alongside the ministerial meeting also focused on strategic priorities for higher education, vocational education and school education, as well as the roadmap for cooperation in education and science among SCO member states for the 2027–2029 period.

The university's admission to the SCO University Council reflects TUMS' ongoing commitment to internationalisation and reinforces its role as a leading medical university actively contributing to global scientific collaboration, innovation and knowledge exchange.