The first Board of Trustees Meeting and the Second Focal Points’ Meeting of the D-8 International University were held at the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Tehran, from 29 to 30 April, 2019. The Secretary-General of the D-8, His Excellency Ambassador Dato’ Ku Jaafar Ku Shaari participated in the Board of Trustees Meeting and he was accompanied by Director I, Mr. Nasir Aminu and Research Analyst and Press Officer, Mr. Ilham Uludag.

On the first day of the programme, 29th April 2019, the Second Focal Points’ Meeting of the D-8 International University was held and it was attended by Director I, Mr. Nasir Aminu. It was also attended by the representatives from the Ministries of Education and Higher Education Authorities as well as officials of the embassies of the D-8 Member States. The meeting started with the welcome statement by the Acting Minister for International Scientific Cooperation of the Islamic Republic of Iran and presentation of progress report by the Executive Director of the D-8 International University. It continued with the statements, remarks and deliberations by the representatives of the Member States. The meeting ended with adoption of relevant documents for the Board of Trustees (BoT) Meeting namely the Statute of the D-8 International University and Rules of Procedure of the Board of Trustees. After the meeting, the Secretary-General met with the Minister of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran and had discussion on future bilateral cooperation. At the end of the day, the Gala Dinner was organized by Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran in honour of ministers and representatives of the D-8 Member States.

On the second day, 30th April 2019, the Secretary-General attended the first Board of Trustees (BoT) Meeting of the D-8 International University that was held at the same venue. The meeting commenced with the statement of the Minister of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran, His Excellency Dr. Mansour Gholami. The programme continued with the statement of the D-8 Secretary-General and remarks by the heads of the delegations of the D-8 Member States.

In his statement, the Secretary-General expressed his gratitude to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran for their untiring efforts regarding the establishment of the D-8 International University. He also conveyed his appreciation to the Chancellor of the Bu-Ali Sina University, the Executive Director of the D-8 International University and his team for the hard work that led to the establishment of the university within such a short period of time. Then, he briefed the attendees regarding the idea behind the establishment of the D-8 International University, current status and progress as well as future plans and projects regarding the university. He also emphasized the importance of the university as an incubator of world-class scientists and inventors. He thanked the D-8 Member States for their unwavering commitment and support to the D-8 International University project.

In addition to the D-8 International University project, the Secretary-General spoke about the new initiatives that are being pursued by the Secretariat including the D-8 Network of Pioneers of Research and Innovation (D-8 NPRI), the D-8 Chamber of Commerce and Industry (D-8 CCI), the D-8 Industrial Park, the D-8 Payment Card System, the network of D-8 Designated Airports, the D-8 Health Partnership and Social Protection Programme, the D-8 Research Centers and the D-8 Creative Economy and Financial Center in Kuala Lumpur.

The Board of Trustees Meeting was adjourned with the adoption of the meeting report and other relevant documents such as the Statute and the Rules of Procedures of the D-8 International University.

Later in the day, the Secretary-General visited the D-8 Technology Transfer and Exchange Network (D-8 TTEN) Secretariat at the Pardis Technology Park in Tehran. He held discussions with the President of the Park, Mr. Mahdi Safarinia and the D-8 TTEN officials including Mr. Javed Hossein.

On 1st May 2019, a visit to the D-8 International University in Hamedan was organized for the participants in order to see the physical developments at the university.

Statement of the Secretary-General