Tensions between Iran and the U.S. over
Tehran's nuclear program and other issues grab headlines. But this friction
belies more amicable overtures taking place between the two nations. Since 1999
an effort has been underway to promote collaboration between American and
Iranian scientists in medicine, engineering and technology. VOA's Ana Ward was
on hand recently as three members of the U.S. delegation talked about their trip
to Iran. Jim Bertel narrates.
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| Science exchange
program team |
Last October a team of twelve American scientists
visited Iran for a one-week scientific exchange. Their trip was part of an
Iranian-American partnership to promote collaboration between scientists of both
nations in medicine, engineering and technology. The American delegation met
with scholars and religious leaders in several cities.
William Colglazier, executive director of the
National Academy of Sciences, says scientific engagement between
Iran and the U.S. is particularly important now when political tension has
affected cooperation between the two countries.
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William Colglazier |
"Iran has a very large science and technology
infrastructure -- probably it's the leading science and technology country in
the Muslim world. This is a country where people value education and training.
Many of the senior leaders of the universities were trained in the U.S. and are
quite eager for science and technology re-engagement with scientists in the
United States," said Colglazier.For the
past nine years, American and Iranian scientists have held joint workshops on
scientific topics. Half of them took place in Iran and the other half in the
U.S. and Europe. This year, 1993 Physics Nobel Prize winner Joseph Taylor was
part of the U.S. team and spoke to students and academics as well as the Iranian
media.
Former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami
attended one of the workshops and encouraged the participants to use science to
benefit mankind.
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Glen Schweitzer |
The three American scientists say now that they
are home, they want to encourage efforts to bring the two countries together
through cultural and scientific exchanges.
Glen Schweitzer, from the National Academy of
Sciences, says in his last two visits to Iran he has noticed a visible decline
in the number of Americans visiting the country. He says, "How do we get more
Americans interested, how can we convince them it's not a risk to personal
safety to go there and how can we facilitate this is really a challenge that I
think our organization has a responsibility to address better than we have in
the past."
Later this year the Iranian and American
delegations will meet again in Iran for workshops on preventing earthquakes.
They also hope to develop partnerships between universities and high schools in
both countries.
