According to the Public Relations Department of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs, the first symposium for planning and policy-making regarding the recruitment of international students for "skill-based" educational programs at the UAST and the National Skills University was held at the headquarters of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs.
The session was attended by Dr. Habiba, Iran’s Deputy Minister of Science and the Head of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs; Dr. Ghanbari Baghestan, the Deputy for Scholarships and International Student Affairs; Dr. Zamanian, the President of the National Skills University; Dr. Ali-Akbari, the President of the University of Applied Science and Technology; and a group of international affairs directors. During the meeting, operational strategies to leapfrog international student recruitment were discussed and reviewed.
The Unique Opportunity of Short-Term Programs for Attracting International Technicians
At the beginning of the session, Dr. Habiba, the Head of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs, while offering condolences on the mourning days of Aba Abdillah al-Hussein (PBUH), stated: "In the field of attracting international students, one of the areas with a very strong regional and even global market is our skill-oriented universities. Given the mandate of Iran’s Seventh Development Plan to attract 320,000 international students, we must leverage the massive capacities of the National Skills University and the UAST to the fullest."
The Head of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs cited the rapid entry of graduates into the labor market as the standout advantage of these universities, adding: "Short-term educational programs at the Associate (Kardani) and Non-continuing Bachelor’s (Karshenasi-e Napeyvasteh) levels provide an excellent platform for attracting international students as technical professionals. Thanks to their practical and skill-based training, these graduates can sustain Iran’s scientific standing in regional countries and strengthen the nation’s influence."
Iran’s Deputy Minister of Science emphasized: "Maintaining and adhering to educational standards and academic quality remains the primary priority of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs throughout this process."
Dr. Zamanian: Differentiating Skill-Based Missions as the Basis for Student Recruitment
Continuing the session, Dr. Zamanian, the President of the National Skills University, outlined the university's mission dimensions, stating: "The UAST and the National Skills University must operate based on their distinct mandates. The UAST focuses on 'job-oriented training,' whereas the National Skills University focuses on 'profession and skill-based training.'"
He identified the governance structure as the second distinction, adding: "The National Skills University is responsible for skill training in the public sector, while the UAST oversees these programs in the private sector. The cornerstone of international student recruitment must be built upon these distinct mandates."
Preparation of 200 Educational Programs and Dispatch of Instructors to Neighboring Countries
The President of the National Skills University announced the preparation of educational infrastructure for neighboring countries, stating: "Currently, syllabi and course coding have been completed for 200 short-term educational programs.
Furthermore, necessary planning has been conducted to empower faculty members as instructors and dispatch them to neighboring countries. Provisions have also been made to equip training workshops, which have been well-received by different countries in the region."
During the meeting, it was also decided to hold a joint session attended by the Science Attachés of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the presidents of the two universities to utilize the capacity of these attachés abroad. Both universities were tasked with developing the necessary planning for regional and international marketing of skill-based courses. Furthermore, required measures, including the forecasting and securing of funding for participation in international student recruitment exhibitions, were placed on the agenda.
Ultimately, it was determined that to ensure a cohesive follow-up on recruiting international students for skill-based programs, a joint working group shall be formed, consisting of plenipotentiary representatives from both university presidents, coordinated by the Deputy for Scholarships and International Student Affairs of Iran’s Organization of Student Affairs."