Iranian Universities Prioritize In-Person Learning for New Academic Year
TEHRAN – The Deputy Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, Dr. Abolfazl Vahedi, has outlined the Ministry’s primary policy for the commencement of the new academic year, confirming a definitive return to on-campus, in-person education across the nation’s universities.
The decision, resulting from coordinated planning and consultations with university educational deputies, underscores a significant shift from the remote learning models utilized in recent years. The policy is framed as a strategic move to enhance educational quality and student engagement, reflecting the government’s commitment to academic excellence.
The Advantages of Physical Presence
In a meeting with the Iranian Students’ News Agency (ISNA), Dr. Vahedi elaborated on the core benefits of this return to traditional learning environments. He emphasized that face-to-face interaction between students and professors, the immediate and personal resolution of academic challenges, and the overall superior quality of instruction are fundamental advantages that virtual platforms cannot fully replicate.
“The most important benefits of in-person education are the establishment of face-to-face interaction between students and professors, the in-person expression and resolution of educational problems, and the high quality of education—advantages we do not observe to the same degree in virtual education,” Dr. Vahedi stated.
A Hybrid Model for Contingencies
While affirming the primacy of in-person classes, the Ministry has also adopted a pragmatic and flexible approach, mandating that universities prepare robust infrastructure for potential future shifts to online or hybrid models. Dr. Vahedi noted that this preparedness is essential for managing unforeseen circumstances such as specific environmental conditions, energy imbalances, air pollution, or other unexpected events.
“We have informed universities that they must strive to amend and provide the necessary infrastructure for these [online] teachings. The Ministry of Science will also monitor conditions. Therefore, in the event of such circumstances, it will be possible to virtualize student education,” he explained. The management of this contingency planning has been delegated to provincial working groups to ensure regional readiness.
Moving Toward Smart Universities
The Deputy Minister also connected the preparedness for online learning to a broader, forward-looking vision for Iran’s academic institutions. He stressed that leveraging the advantages of virtual education is a crucial step toward developing “smart universities in a digital environment,” indicating a long-term strategy to integrate technology seamlessly into the Iranian higher education system.
Logistical Preparations and Timeline
To facilitate a smooth and vibrant start to the year, the Ministry has issued a circular outlining reopening preparations, requesting universities to address potential issues across educational, cultural, and student domains. Dr. Vahedi announced that the national entrance exam results for 2024 would be announced after the middle of the Iranian month of Mehr, causing a slight delay.
Consequently, the academic year for new undergraduate and graduate students is projected to begin in the third or fourth week of Mehr. Universities have been instructed to compensate for this initial delay by increasing weekly teaching hours, ensuring the full curriculum is delivered without a reduction in academic standards.