"The first Iran-Turkey joint university will be launched by (Iran's) Tabriz University and (Turkey's) Yuzuncu Yil University to promote scientific and educational cooperation," Tabriz University Chancellor Parviz Ajideh said.
The Tabriz University chancellor noted that Iran and Turkey have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on setting up a joint university for post-graduate studies in the Turkish city of Van.
"Courses will be taught in Persian and Turkish languages and at least 30 percent of the lessons in engineering and medical colleges should be taught in the English language …," Ajideh said.
Yuzuncu Yil University is located in the outskirts of Van city and it was established in 1982.
Iran and Turkey have recently expanded their bilateral relations, specially in trade and energy fields. Trade between Turkey and Iran has risen sharply over the past decade.
Iranian Ambassador to Ankara Bahaman Hosseinpour announced earlier this week that Iran-Turkey trade value stood at $20 billion in 2012.
Also, Turkey was Iran's fifth-largest oil customer in 2011, buying around 200,000 barrels per day, 30 percent of its total imports and more than 7 percent of Iran's oil exports.
The two countries officials stressed the necessity for stronger relations and pursuing the planned increase of mutual trade to $30bln by 2015.
