The 5th Cultural Festival of Nations commenced in the presence of the Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology, the University Board of Directors, ambassadors of different countries and international students studying at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (FUM) on Thursday morning, December 5, 2019.

Dr. Mansour Gholami, Minister of Science, Research and Technology, said that the festival is an opportunity for the acquaintance of different nations with each other's customs and culture and added: "This festival can lead to the closeness of the nations to each other and bring about scientific exchanges in this field". He considered the presence and study of various students from different countries of the world in Iran as a source of honor for Iran and acknowledged: “Iran has long been a cradle of science and knowledge and will make this country proud to be the oldest university and the first university in the world (Jundishapur University) to be registered in the name of Iran. Jundishapur University has been a place of scientific and international exchanges in its era, and today we are trying to continue to be one of the most important scientific centers in the world for scientific and cultural exchanges by hosting students from different countries.

The Minister of Science, Research and Technology considered the scientific position of Iranian universities in the national and international arenas as important and valuable and added: "Iran's universities and higher education centers have been able to achieve the world rank of 16th in terms of science in the world rankings in 2019, and according to predictions, Iran's position in the coming years will be improved, which is achieved through scientific and research and the achievements of scientists and academics. At present, Iran has been able to rank among the top rankings in the world in modern fields of study such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, aerospace, stem cells and various fields of basic sciences, and this shows that Iranian universities are both scientifically and culturally a great place for students around the world to research and study.

Dr. Gholami expressed hope that different universities in the country, such as Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, can increase their scientific diplomacy and host international students from different nations of the world and make Iran's name and its scientific status more visible in the world.

At the opening of the festival, Prof. Mohammad Kafi, President of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, welcomed the guests and said that the presence of over 2,000 international students and language learners from more than 25 countries is a source of honor and pride for the university. The city of Mashhad, due to the presence of the holy shrine of Ali Ibn Musa Al-Reza (AS) and Ferdowsi the Great, needs to find its deserving place; Ferdowsi University of Mashhad finds it incumbent upon itself to work hard and persevere in increasing its national and international status and be a source of pride for Khorasan and Iran.

The President of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad considered the presence of international students from different parts of the world in Ferdowsi University of Mashhad to increase the scientific and cultural exchanges of nations and acknowledged that: after graduating from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and other Iranian universities, each of these students become scientific and cultural ambassadors for Iran in their country, and it is necessary for other Iranian universities, such as Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, to increase their scientific and cultural diplomacy, help Iranian science and knowledge and Iran's rich culture to be recognized by the world, and create a good name for Iran in different countries of the world.

The fifth cultural festival of nations, with the presence of more than 2000 students and language learners from 29 countries, and the establishment of cultural booths and display of customs, traditions and culture of different countries at the northern door of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad is open until December 7 and academic and non-academic enthusiasts are welcome to visit.