According to Webda, on Thursday, August 20, 2026, Dr. Seyyed Ahmad Hashemi made the remarks at a meeting of international affairs deputies and directors from the Ministry of Health and universities of medical sciences in the country’s Ninth Planning Region, hosted by North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences.

 

Welcoming the participants, Dr. Hashemi said that the International Affairs Council of the Ninth Planning Region is working to support and expand the universities’ international activities. He added that international affairs also operates as an independent unit at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences.

 

He emphasized that internationalization is one of the responsibilities of universities and should be taken into consideration across all university activities, particularly in healthcare and education. “We are moving in this direction at the provincial level as well. With the establishment of an independent international affairs unit, perspectives on this area have changed, and efforts are now being made to approach various issues from a global perspective,” he said.

 

The President of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences further noted that the university’s international capacities extend well beyond activities related to international patients. He pointed out that the university has been included among the 1,500 universities featured in the Times ranking and that a USERN representative office has also been established at the university.

 

Dr. Hashemi described the meeting as an opportunity for universities of medical sciences to exchange experiences. He stated that, through making effective use of existing capacities and developing joint plans, the international standing of the country’s Ninth Planning Region could be further strengthened.