Tehran, Jakarta hold webinar to bolster scientific-research ties – Tehran Times

The Iran National Science Foundation and the Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency held a joint webinar on July 15, 2026, to establish frameworks for increased scientific and research cooperation between Tehran and Jakarta, according to the Tehran Times.

The meeting focused on creating structured pathways for academic exchange and joint research projects. Representatives from both nations’ primary science funding and regulatory bodies discussed the alignment of research priorities to facilitate bilateral agreements, the Tehran Times reported.

The Iran National Science Foundation manages the distribution of grants and the strategic direction of scientific inquiry within Iran. Its counterpart, the Indonesia National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), serves as the centralized body for research and innovation in Indonesia.

According to the Tehran Times, the webinar served as a preliminary step to identify specific sectors where the two countries possess complementary expertise. The discussions aimed to move beyond general diplomatic intent toward concrete operational ties in science and technology.

Key objectives identified during the session included the potential for joint publications and the sharing of laboratory resources. The agencies sought to streamline the process for researchers in both countries to collaborate on peer-reviewed studies, the report stated.

This initiative follows a broader trend of Iran seeking to expand its technical and scientific partnerships with non-Western nations. By engaging with Indonesia’s centralized research apparatus, Tehran aims to diversify its academic networks and access new regional data and innovation hubs.

The Tehran Times indicated that the webinar’s outcomes will likely inform future formal memoranda of understanding (MoUs) between the two agencies. These documents would provide the legal and administrative basis for funding joint ventures and hosting visiting scholars.