TEHRAN (Tasnim) � An official with Iran's Science Ministry said a recent visit to Iran by a delegation of senior US higher education representatives had been coordinated with the Iranian Foreign Ministry.

The American team had coordinated its trip with the foreign ministry, not with the science ministry, Abdolhossein Fereydoon told Tasnim on Monday.

Last week, the Institute of International Education (IIE) led a delegation of senior US higher education representatives to Iran.

The American professors met with counterparts from thirteen Iranian universities and research institutes to pave the way for boosting academic cooperation between the two countries.

Led by IIE's President and CEO Allan E. Goodman, the delegation included Ball State University, Pitzer College, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, the University of Southern California (USC), and Wayne State University, as well as senior representatives of IIE.

"Educational diplomacy is at the forefront of opening up dialogue between two countries, often before full diplomatic relations have been restored," said Dr. Goodman, according to IIE website.

"This was the case with China and Vietnam, and IIE has been leading these efforts in recent years, first with Myanmar and Cuba and now with Iran," he added.

In Tehran, Shiraz, and Isfahan, the delegation visited many of Iran's top universities and research institutes, including: University of Tehran, Shahid Beheshti University, Allameh Tabataba'i University, Alzahra University, Sharif University of Technology, University of Shiraz, University of Isfahan, Isfahan University of Technology, the National Research Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotech (NIGEB), the National Research Institute for Science and Technology (IROST), Royan Stem Cell Institute, the Institute for Research in Fundamental Sciences (IPM) and Zand University.

By Tasnim News Agency