Dr. Hani Shaaban at meeting with cultural deputy of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization announced that the Persian language department will be set up from the next academic year at the University of Tishreen in Syria.

According to the Public Relations Office of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization (ICRO), Seyed Mohammad Hossein Hashemi, cultural deputy of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization continued his travel programs in Syria on Monday (23rd October) along with Abolfazl Salehinia, Iranian cultural advisor in Syria and Nader Azad, Irans cultural advisor in Latakia. While visiting Tishreen University, they met and discussed with Hani Shaaban, head of the university and , secretary of the Baath Party in Tishreen University.

Mr. Hashemi, cultural deputy of the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization said: "The Iranian people and government have been standing alongside Syria since the victory of the revolution, because the Syrians stand on the right side, also Syria has been able to create a big barrier against the Israeli ambitions.

He added: "Iran is trying to introduce the true face of Islam to the world, but others present a dark face full of ignorance and backwardness.

Mr. Hashemi announced the readiness of Iran to establish academic cooperation, especially in learning of Persian language course with Tishreen University.

Increase of scholarship students from Syrian in Iran

Dr. Hani Shaaban, president of Tishreen University, emphasized on the necessity of developing cultural relations and cooperation between the two countries, especially in academia matter, and said: "I hope Iranian students continue their study at the postgraduate and Ph.D. levels in Syrian universities, and we are trying to increase the number of scholarship students from Syria in Iran.

He also referred to setting up of the Persian language department at Tishreen University and said: According to the agreement of the Syrian Ministry of Higher Education, the Persian language department will be opened in the next academic year at Tishreen University.

Development of cultural cooperation between Iran and Syria

Loy Sayouh, the secretary of the Baath party at Tishreen University, praised Irans stand-off with Syria against the threats of the Zionist regime, and he said: "The two countries of Iran and Syria Consensus on political issues, therefore, we should expand continuity of cooperation, especially in cultural matter.

He acknowledged that the great country of Iran with ancient civilization and ever-lasting legacy, and said: In the context of negative propaganda against Iran, we know that more than 300 channels are propagating on the satellite against Iran and changing this issue needs setup of specialized conferences and dispatch delegations of students, professors and cadets.

Loy Sayouh announced the Readiness of Tishreen University in Latakia to support Iranian culture.

Mr. Salehinia, cultural advisor of Iran in Syria, pointed to the readiness of Iran to carry out cultural and artistic activities in Syria. He said: we are trying to expand the domain of our cooperation through cultural, artistic activities, joint round table discussion and art exhibitions.

He referred to the launch of a Persian language department at Damascus, Homs and Aleppo universities, and emphasized the necessity of developing cultural relations, especially the matter of interaction of lecturer and students between two countries.