When it comes to science and technology diplomacy, it means that we can use science and technology as a means to achieve national goals and interests," said the head of the International Students Office of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad.

Dr. Zaynab Moazzenzadeh said in an interview with ISNA-Khorasan region about the importance of attracting scientific tourism in the country: "It is possible to introduce the scientific, economic, political and technological capacities of the country by university graduates. We educate the students who will serve as ambassadors of science and technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran in other countries.

"Attracting international students at first introduces our university's capabilities to other scientific centers of the world, and on the other hand, it makes us create the appropriate infrastructures for achieving global standards," she continued.

Head of the International Students Office of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, said: "In order to have a successful diplomacy and at the same time enjoy all our rights in the field of science and technology, we need to focus more on scientific diplomacy.

Mozzenzadeh with an emphasis on the fact that all of the world's top universities are paying special attention to the topic of scientific tourism, stated that: "increasing the capacity and capability of the universities, awarding scholarships, introducing university potential in cyberspace, international conferences, scientific-international agreements, including are different ways to attract scientific tourism".

She emphasized the position and status of Khorasan Razavi province in the field of scientific tourism and said: "The attraction of international students at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, as one of the powerful universities of the country, is being supported by well-educated colleagues in different departments with a systematic process. Considering the existence of the Holy Mosque of Imam Reza in Mashhad and according to the outlines of the scientific-cultural diplomacy program about 1500 international students have been accepted so far.

The head of the International Students Office of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad noted that at present about 22,000 non-Iranian students are studying at Iranian universities, which includes about 6,000 scholarships. In the Sixth National Development Plan, the issue of the internationalization of universities and the attraction of 100,000 foreign students have been raised as a mandate and strategy.

Moazzenzadeh added: “For developing stable interactions and effective international relationships, entering to the market of qualitative and scientific competition with internationally recognized universities and universities, developing Persian language and introducing the Islamic culture and civilization and exchange of information, art and science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, has carried out many activities and investments in various fields such as scientific and cultural fields. Examples of these activities are holding some rounds of Cultural-Sports Festival, International Cultural Festival and many religious ceremonies, which are indicated by the presence of 1,500 international students and also gaining a high rank in the international arena by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology”.

She added: “In order to realize the country's high objectives based on the development of cultural-scientific diplomacy with the goal of expanding the attraction and admission of international students and also for maintaining the cultural status of the Islamic Republic of Iran, it is necessary to continue providing them with appropriate facilities and services. Therefore, standardization and providing infrastructures and dormitory for students, English-based courses, defining specific postgraduate courses, academic support and facilitating their constitutional affairs, which are the main obstacles to international student attraction, are the things that are on the agenda of this university”.

The head of the International Student Office of Ferdowsi University of Mashhad noted: "Currently international students in almost all fields and in three (bachelor, master and PhD) levels from 21 countries of the world are studying at the Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. Almost 6,000 students are studying in in Khorasan Razavi province".