On Thursday, August 15, 2018 thirteen professors and graduate students from different universities in Afghanistan met with international university officials. At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Ehsan Ghaboul, director of scientific and international academic affairs of non-Iranian students, referred to the international achievements of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, prioritizing international collaboration with countries of the region, especially Afghanistan.

He considered that the historical, linguistic, cultural, geographic proximity and ... are among the factors for Ferdowsi University of Mashhad to focus on communicating with Afghan universities. He also referred to the recent efforts of the University to expand academic university relations with the universities of Afghanistan through joint research-based doctoral programs, special courses for faculty members, increased students admissions, increased scholarships to excellent students from Afghanistan, in addition to cooperation with Pashtun-language universities as the forth coming events at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. He expressed hope that these programs would be realized in the upcoming visit to Afghanistan.

Dr Moazen Zadeh, head of the International Students' Office of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, praised Afghan students as the most distinguished students and mentioned that the largest number of international students is from Afghanistan. She also noted that most scholarships by Ferdowsi University of Mashhad to foreign students have been given to afghan students, which proves the university’s interest towards Afghan students.

Dr. Mohammad Taghavi, head of the International Center for teaching Persian Language toNon-Persian speakers, offered holding informing courses on Persian language and culture for Pashtun students and professors. Referring to the long-standing relations of the Persian Language and Literature department in Ferdowsi University with the Persian language and literature department in Afghanistan, Dr Takavi also expressed readiness of the department to expand Persian language and literature at other universities in Afghanistan.

After the meeting, a workshop on the "New Methods of Research in Humanities" was held by Dr. Ghaboul for Afghan Professors and Students. In the end, the delegation also visited the University Museum, the Central Library and the Foodshed.