In line with the policy of expanding health diplomacy with Shanghai member countries, a memorandum of understanding on inter-university collaboration was signed between the Iran University of Medical Sciences and Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Kazakhstan.

On June 3, 2023, Dr. Abdolreza Pazouki, the President of Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS), and Dr. Masoud Maleki Birjandi, the Acting Vice President for International Affairs, paid a visit to the Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University and the affiliated departments during a three-day trip. The visit was made possible with the official invitation and welcome from the President of the Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan.

During their trip, the IUMS President and Acting Vice President had negotiations, to develop collaborations on the scientific capacities of the two sides, with the high-ranking officials of the Asfendiyarov University.

This trip will hopefully be an appropriate and sustaining basis for the development of cooperation with Kazakhstan, which will open the door to Shanghai member countries in the field of health diplomacy.