Rasht, Iran — 21 August 2026: The University of Guilan has signed a cooperation agreement with the TV BRICS International Media Network to present its higher-education projects in the network’s media space, the broadcaster reported on 21 August 2026. The partnership aims to promote the university’s research achievements and to develop cooperation between higher education institutions and research centres across BRICS+ countries.
Agreement and objectives
The memorandum was signed by President Ali Basti of the University of Guilan and Janna Tolstikova, CEO and Editor-in-Chief of TV BRICS, the report said. The partners will focus on publicising quality education, advanced university research and expanding collaboration among universities and research institutes in BRICS member and partner states.
Commenting on the agreement, the university’s statement said it saw the memorandum as "the starting point of a new stage of cooperation between the University of Guilan and the scientific and academic community of BRICS+ countries." The statement added that the international and media capabilities of TV BRICS should help the university’s scientific, technological and research achievements gain wider coverage and create conditions for joint projects in science, education, technology and culture.
Planned outcomes and areas of emphasis
The University of Guilan indicated it intends to use the partnership to:
- Develop scientific diplomacy and strengthen ties with BRICS+ academia;
- Establish joint networks of interaction between researchers and universities across member and partner countries;
- Create international opportunities for students and faculty, including collaboration on research and educational projects.
The initiative places particular emphasis on leveraging TV BRICS’ media reach to amplify research visibility and foster co-operation in scientific, technological and cultural fields.
University profile
The University of Guilan is a public university located in Rasht, the administrative centre of Gilan Province in northern Iran. The institution was founded in 1974 and currently enrolls around 15,000 students. Its academic structure includes 14 faculties and specialised research institutes, covering a broad range of disciplines.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1974 |
| Location | Rasht, Gilan Province |
| Student strength | ~15,000 |
| Faculties / Institutes | 14 faculties, Research Institute for Guilan Studies, Caspian Sea Research Institute |
The university’s principal fields of study listed in the report include the humanities; physical education and sport; chemistry; fundamental and mathematical sciences; agriculture; marine sciences and technology; engineering and technical disciplines including mechanical engineering; natural resources; management and economics; and architecture and art.
Implications for BRICS+ academic collaboration
By using a transnational media platform such as TV BRICS, the University of Guilan seeks to raise the international visibility of its research and teaching activities. The move is likely to encourage exchanges and joint projects across BRICS+ countries by facilitating awareness of potential partners and showcasing areas of complementary expertise.
For institutions and students in BRICS member and partner countries, the partnership may open avenues for co-authored research, collaborative projects and faculty or student exchanges—contingent on subsequent agreements between individual universities and research centres.
"I hope that, thanks to the international and media capabilities of TV BRICS, the scientific, technological and research achievements of the University of Guilan will receive even wider international coverage and that conditions will be created for the development of joint projects in science, education, technology and culture with universities and research centres of BRICS member and partner countries," the university statement said.
The report appeared on TV BRICS’ website on 21 August 2026. Further operational details, timelines for specific joint projects and mechanisms for student or faculty participation were not provided in the report.
Note for students and administrators: institutions interested in cooperation with the University of Guilan or with TV BRICS should follow official communications from the respective organisations for application processes, eligibility and timelines. This report is based on the TV BRICS item published on 21 August 2026.
