In a ceremonial event held at Nazarbayev University in Astana on Thursday, President Pezeshkian was awarded an honorary doctorate, where he expressed his optimism for the future of Iran-Kazakhstan collaboration.
Addressing the audience of academics, researchers, and students, President Pezeshkian highlighted the longstanding scientific and cultural ties between the two nations, emphasizing their shared legacy in the field of medicine.
Reflecting on the rich history of Iran, Kazakhstan, and Central Asia, Pezeshkian noted that the region has been the birthplace of numerous scientific pioneers, including figures like Ibn Sina, Al-Farabi, Al-Razi, and Al-Biruni, who shaped the course of global knowledge during the Golden Age of Islamic civilization.
This shared heritage in science and medicine is more than just a cultural identity; it is a foundation for much of the world's medical advancements, the Iranian president remarked, emphasizing the profound impact of these scholars in fields like medicine, philosophy, and logic.
President Pezeshkian went on to stress that over the past millennium, Iran and Central Asia have played a crucial role as a repository of scientific knowledge. He referenced the enduring influence of Ibn Sina’s medical theories, which were taught for centuries in European and Asian universities, and Al-Farabi’s contributions to the systematization of science and the development of empirical methods in medicine.
Addressing the current challenges in global health, including non-communicable diseases, climate change, and emerging diseases, Pezeshkian emphasized that no country could tackle these issues alone.
Highlighting Iran’s growing role in medical innovation, he also noted Iran’s progress in vaccine production, biotechnology, molecular medicine, and the use of artificial intelligence in healthcare. He announced Iran's readiness to expand scientific and technological cooperation with Kazakhstan, particularly in the fields of joint vaccine and drug production, digital health, biotechnology, and epidemic management.
Concluding his remarks, Pezeshkian expressed confidence that just as the great thinkers of the past reshaped the world with their knowledge, today’s scholars from Iran and Kazakhstan have the potential to continue this legacy in modern medicine, health technologies, and beyond.
IRNA