Shiraz University

Shiraz University (Persian: دانشگاه شیراز‎ Dāneshgāh-e-Shirāz, formerly known as Pahlavi University دانشگاه پهلوی Dāneshgāh-e Pahlavi) is a public university located in Shiraz, Fars, Iran, established in 1946. Being one of the oldest and most prestigious modern universities in Iran, Shiraz University is listed among the top three research-oriented schools in the nation according to a ranking of Iranian universities based on scientific output.[5] In the first report of state universities ranking and among almost 70 universities and higher education institutes, Shiraz University is regarded as first-level university.[6]

Shiraz University
دانشگاه شيراز
Dāneshgāh-e-Shirāz
Shiraz University Seal
Mottoخرد، کوشش (old)
دارالعلم در دارالعلم
Motto in English
Wisdom, Endeavor (old)
A Dar-al-Elm (University) in a Dar-al-Elm (Former Epithet of Shiraz)
TypePublic
Established1946
EndowmentUS$ 73.18 million (December 10, 2014)[1]
ChancellorHamid Nadgaran[2]
Academic staff
942[3]
Studentsaround 21,000[4]
Undergraduates11,839
Postgraduates7,189
1,683
Location
Shiraz
,
Fars
,
Iran
CampusUrban
Athletics12 teams
ColorsDark blue and Yellow    
AffiliationsFUIW
IAU
ASEA-UNINET
Websiteshirazu.ac.ir

Shiraz University has pioneered the establishment of doctoral programs in Iran. Currently and after separation of medical universities from universities under Ministry of Science, Research and Technology the university has over 20,000 students, with 200 bachelor's degree programs (B.A., B.Sc.), 300 master's degree programs (M.A., M.Sc.), one professional degree program (Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or DVM), and 150 Ph.D. programs.

History

Foundation

Shiraz University traces its roots to 1946, with the establishment of a technical college aimed at training specialists in the medical sciences with a four-year program. Initially called the High Institute of Health, it developed into a medical school in 1950. In 1953, the Namazi School of Nursing and the Colleges of Agriculture and Arts and Sciences were established. With the addition of the College of Engineering and College of Veterinary Medicine in 1954, the school was elevated to university-status and named after the reigning Pahlavi dynasty. Other units that were subsequently added were the Dental School in 1969, the Graduate School and College of Electronics in 1969, Dentistry in 1970 and the Colleges of Law and Education in 1977.

Pahlavi University
Mohammad Reza Pahlavi

In 1960, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Shah of Iran invited the atomic physicist Gaylord P. Harnwell, president of the University of Pennsylvania (Penn), to come to Iran and examine Iran's higher education institutions. At the Shah's request, Harnwell prepared a report entitled A Pattern for a New University in Iran, and the Shah subsequently decided that Penn would assist the Iranian government in transforming Pahlavi University[7] into the only institution in Iran based on American-style higher education.[8] The University of Pennsylvania thus became highly influential in shaping many of Pahlavi University's departments and institutions.[9] Harnwell and Penn assisted the Iranian government in establishing American-style higher education by supervising the new university’s academic and administrative system in its early years.[10] Many faculty members from Penn were sent to Pahlavi University to teach and carry out research, and a widespread exchange program was established. The president of the University of Pennsylvania was awarded an honorary degree in Shiraz, in recognition of the help of Penn to Pahlavi University.[11]

The development of Pahlavi University, as it then was, was directly under the supervision and management of this renowned American university, to the point that the scientific and cultural relations between the two universities became one of the strongest scientific and cultural relationships between Iran and the United States. This continued until the last days of the Shah.[12] In 1962, Isa Sedigh became responsible for implementing the Ivy League's models at Pahlavi University.[13] The development of many courses, the design and development of university campuses, the training of professors, and the establishment of many research institutes at Pahlavi University were all assigned to this Ivy League university.[12] Later, during the administration of Houshang Nahavandi (fa), the famous Kent State University also participated in the formation and development of Pahlavi University.[13] Pahlavi University became the first university in Iran to receive an international-level accreditation for its degrees, as well as the first Iranian university where a Nobel Prize winner gave a lecture. In the Pahlavi era, Shiraz was called the sister of Princeton in the United States. Linus Pauling, scientist, peace activist, author, and winner of two Nobel Prizes, in Chemistry and Peace, came to Nowruz in Iran in 1975 at the invitation of the Iranian Society of Chemists to deliver a speech to the first Iranian Congress of Chemists. This congress was held at Pahlavi University.[14]

The University was also the first in Iran to have a Board of Trustees. The members of this board were the Minister of the Court, the Minister of Culture, the Chancellor of the University, the Governor of Fars, the CEO of the Planning Organization, the CEO of the National Iranian Oil Company, and between nine and fifteen others, competent cultural and financial personalities and captains of industry, chosen by the Ministry of Court and Culture, with the approval of Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi, and appointed for a period of six months. The Chairman of the Board of Trustees was the Minister of the Court, and in his absence the Minister of Culture. This Board of Trustees was the legal representative of the university at that time, and all scientific, technical, educational, financial, administrative and employment affairs of the university were managed under its supervision. Later, after the Iranian Revolution of 1979, ministers Mostafa Moeen and Reza Malekzadeh, both university alumni, introduced a similar system for other universities in Iran.[14]

Shiraz University Administration Building

After revolution

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution overthrew the Pahlavi dynasty, drastic changes were implemented at all universities. The name of Pahlavi University was immediately changed to Shiraz University. All universities were closed for three years in a so-called Iran's Cultural Revolution of 1980-1987 to Islamize all the universities. Later in 1986, the Iranian Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education took over the schools related to health and medical sciences including mainly Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Nursing which resulted in separation of these schools from university campus and establishment of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. Also in 2004, former Electronic Industries College which was originally founded in 1968, was named Shiraz University of Technology as an independent university.[15]

Since then, Shiraz University acted as "The Mother/Maternal University" (Persian: دانشگاه مادر‎) and became responsible for establishment of many later founded universities in south of Iran including Hormozgan, Persian Gulf in Bushehr, Yasouj, Shiraz University of Technology, Fasa, Shiraz University of Arts among others. Shiraz University is also responsible for monitoring and evaluating 166 universities and institutes of higher education in Fars province. [16]

Taq-e Bostan Tree of Life Relief and The Basic Motif for current Seal

Shiraz University also pioneered many Ph.D. programs for the first time in Iran. Among them are Organic chemistry and Chemistry-Physics.[17]

Seal

The official seal of the Shiraz University serves as the signature and symbol of authenticity on documents issued by the university. Before the Islamic Revolution in Iran, a logo was used as the official logo of Pahlavi University inspired by Persepolis. The logo was inscribed with two words; Wisdom and Endeavor. However, after the revolution, this logo was also changed.

After the Revolution, the later seal designed by current faculty of Department of Arts, Bahman Feizabi inspired by the logo designed for The Asia Institute.[18] According to him the basic motif for the new seal was inspired by the tree of life relief in Taq Bostan which is one of the most important motifs in the Sassanid era. The tree of life is a concept used in science, religion, philosophy, myth and other fields, and is represented as a branching tree that reflects the idea that all life is related to each other on Earth.

  • University Seal Changing through the Years
  • The Asia Institute Seal
  • Pahlavi University Seal
  • Shiraz University Seal

Campus

Eram Paradise Campus (main campus)
Shiraz University Big Replica
I want my darling by Parviz Tanavoli located at the School of Art and Architecture

Shiraz University has the second-biggest campus in Iran. The Eram Hill lands mostly owned mostly by Shirazi tycoons Mohammad Namazi and Zabihollah Ghorban dedicated to university and was initially designed by American architect Minoru Yamasaki,[19] who also designed the World Trade Center. Later in 1968 during the further constructing of university campus and while Shiraz was getting ready hosting its first Shiraz Arts Festival, many Iranian visual artists including Parviz Tanavoli, Sohrab Sepehri, Abolghasem Saeedi, Bahman Mohasses and Hossein Zenderoudi got involved designing artistic elements and wall paintings for amphitheater, self-service dining and outside campus. [20] From them a sculpture called I want my darling by Tanavoli is still kept at School of Arts and Architecture, a painting by Sepehri is kept in School of Persian Literature's lobby and a wall painting of Saeedi is also can be seen at the inner lobby of Fajr (formerly Shams) Hall.

In 1969, during the first Shiraz art festival, with the suggestion and invitation of Farah Pahlavi, then Queen of Iran a complex was designed by renowned contemporary architect, Alvar Aalto, for Shiraz Museum of Arts.[21] The project halted due to the sudden death of Aalto in 1976. In 2016 Aalto University and Finnish embassy in Iran contacted Shiraz University regrading full documentation of design drafts by Aalto himself. In 2018, Shiraz Municipality and a two Iranian and Finnish investing partners got involved in project although the project halted once again because of new sanctions and lack of budget.[22]

After more than 70 years, the university campus originally designed plan for central dormitory and school buildings is still not completed and is under construction under a multi-year planning. After 1979 revolution, many lands owned by university divided from university due to different causes such as separation of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, insufficiency of maintenance costs, lack of budget, urban planning or other reasons.

The Asia Institute
Main article: Asia Institute
Narenjestan of Ghavam, Home to The Asia Institute

In 1966, the New York based Asia Institute under Arthur Upham Pope re-established itself under the university supervision at Narenjestan Museum. [23][24][25] Narenjestan which was a house owned by Qavam family during Qajar Era housed this institution until 1979. The institute organized the Fifth International Congress of Iranian Art and Archaeology, which took place in Tehran in 1968. The aim of the institute was to promote the history, art, civilization and culture of Iran and research related to it with regrad to the changes of culture in Asian countries. Also their activities included holding training courses, Iranologic research, holding scientific and world meetings, archeological researches and publishing its achievements.

With the death of Pope, the management of the institute was entrusted to Richard Nelson Frye. Prior to that, due to the Pope's close relationship with the Iranian royal family, the institute had autonomy, but after him it went completely under the supervision of Pahlavi University of Shiraz. This caused tensions in the institution. Among them, Houshang Nahavandi, then chancelor of Pahlavi University, claimed that Gluck, a member of the institute, was involved in smuggling Iranian antiques to Japan and demanded his removal. On the other hand, after receiving the title of professorship from Harvard University, Frye had less time to attend the institute. Despite all this, the research and educational activities of the institute continued. In 1971, on the eve of the celebrations of the 2,500-year celebration of the Persian Empire, the Asian Institute held a large seminar entitled "Iranian Studies" in Shiraz. In 1975, the institute's contract with Dr. Frye ended and Mahyar Navabi, who had previously been the executive director of the institute, was appointed president of the institute. He was the first Iranian president of the Asian Institute of Pahlavi University. At this time, the institute moved from Narenjestan to a larger building on the university campus and became a part of the university's linguistics department.

Shahla Solhju the first Co-Director of Abu Reihan Observatory pictured with the main telescope

Biruni Observatory[26]

Abu Reihan Biruni Observatory was set up and established by Yousef Sobouti in collaboration with Edward Guinan and Robert H. Koch in 1975. The idea to build this center was proposed by Yousef Sobouti in late 1960’s to promote observational astronomy and training a new generation of astronomers in Iran prior to building a large national telescope. In Fall 1969, Robert H. Koch (1929-2010), the head of the department of Astronomy & Astrophysics of the University of Pennsylvania, visited Shiraz to evaluate a possible construction of an observatory for Shiraz University. He encouraged Shiraz University and proposed his suggestions for developing Astronomy in Iran. The idea pursued by Sobouti and in 1972, the telescope was finally ordered from the Astro Mechanics company in the United States of America with a cost of about 50K US dollars. Also 1976, Iranian Lady Shahla Solhju, one of Iran's very first female professional astronomers, became the first Co-Director of Abu Reihan Observatory.

The construction of the building and the observatory’s road was started in 1972 and finished in 1976. The main telescope with a 20” (0.5 meter) primary mirror and the photoelectric photometer device were finally installed with the help of Edward Guinan, who was invited by Prof. Sobouti and became a staff member of the Physics department of Shiraz University (1975-1977). The telescope received its first light in March 1977. In its first 15 months, 1400 hours of observations were obtained and in 1978 the Biruni Observatory participated in a number of internationally coordinated programs involving ground-based and satellite observations.

The activities of this center have more or less continued over the past decades. Among the goals of this research center are professional research and observations in the field of astronomy and astrophysics. In this center, other activities such as education and training of students, promotion and dissemination of astronomical knowledge, etc. are carried out in addition to the previous objectives. The only astronomical center in Iran that can be compared to this observatory in terms of facilities and capabilities is the Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi Observatory of the University of Tabriz. Abu Reihan External Observatory of Shiraz University is the most active observatory center in the country and the first observatory after Maragheh observatory (8th century AH), which was established in Iran and has been the first among active and professional observatories in the field of research and astronomical observations.

Eram Paradise Campus, with Dormitories and Central Library in the view

Libraries

Mulla Sadra Library was established in the early 1960s as the central library for Shiraz University and began its activities as a university library. Mulla Sadra Library is one of the richest university libraries due to its very scarce resources including books, dissertations and publications and is considered as the only hub for maintaining basic science resources in the south of the country.[27]

The Central Library and Documentation Center of Shiraz University is one of the largest university libraries in the country. The history of the establishment of the Central Library and Documentation Center of Shiraz University dates back to 1986. Prior to that, the library was part of Mulla Sadra's library at the Faculty of Science. In 1986, Mulla Sadra Library was divided into two parts and the collection related to literature and humanities was transferred to Mirza Shirazi Library.

Central Library of Shiraz University

Now, with valuable collections of Persian and Latin books and reference books, archives of old and new magazines and newspapers, documents and manuscripts and electronic scientific resources, it is one of the prominent university libraries in the country. The total infrastructure of the current building of the Central Library and Documentation Center is about 11,000 square meters and is designed on four floors.[28]

Also, in 1964, with the establishment of the School of Engineering, the library started working with 22 volumes of dictionary books in the vicinity of the classrooms of Engineering Building No. 1. After the development of the faculty building, this library had a study hall, a publication hall and a limited number of librarians on the second floor of Engineering School No. 1. The new building of the library named after Muhammad ibn Musa al-Khwarizmi, a prominent Muslim mathematician and the father of algebra and arithmetic, with an area of 7220 square meters in eight and a half sections and different sections, was put into operation in 1992. The complex has an amphitheater, central heating and cooling system, central automatic fire extinguishing system, emergency power system and many other facilities. Kharazmi Library has one of the richest technical and engineering resources in the country and has a capacity of 700 people at a time.[29]

Other university libraries include the Shahid Mofteh Library for Agriculture, the Shahid Hasheminejad Library for Veterinary Medicine, the Law and Political Science Library, the Library of the School of Arts and Architecture, and the Library of the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Darab.

Academic profile

Reputation

The university is known to be strict and usually the grade point average (GPA) of students in various departments is generally lower than their peers in other universities of Iran.[30] Shiraz University is well known as a tough university with low GPA specially in Civil, Electrical and Mechanical engineering. Even universities like Sharif University of Technology and University of Tehran are not tough to the extent of Shiraz University. That’s why many students of Shiraz University believe their grades do not reflect their academic performance.[31]

Although there is not an official report Shiraz University students usually do well during Academic Olympiads and Masters' nationwide entrance exams and much better compare to how they did on their bachelor's entrance exam or High School Olympiads.

Ranking
University rankings
Shiraz University
Global – Overall
ARWU World[32]701–800 (2020)
CWTS World[33]480 (2020)
QS World[34]801-1000 (2021)
THE World[35]801-1000 (2021)
USNWR Global[36]874 (2021)

According to a report by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (Iran) published in 2010 and 2011, Shiraz University ranked 6th respectively between 64 and 68 non-medical universities and institutions in Iran. It was also one of top three non-technical and non-medical universities along with the University of Tehran and Tarbiat Modares University in a 2012 ranking.[37]

According to the 2017 rankings of the best universities given by the Times Higher Education, Shiraz University has been ranked in the top 3 universities in Iran. In 2016 only eight universities from Iran were included in this ranking, whereas in 2017, fourteen universities from Iran were among the top universities rankings. Based on these rankings, Shiraz University became the best comprehensive university in Iran.[38]

In addition, in regard to the 2019 rankings of the best universities given by the Times Higher Education (THE), Shiraz University’s Computer discipline has been ranked in the top 3 universities in Iran. Also, based on the teaching criterion of the ranking in Computer Science, Shiraz University has also achieved first rank in Iran.[39][40]

Iranian Science and Culture Hall of Fame members

Iranian Science and Culture Hall of Fame is a formal ceremony to honor influential contemporary scientific and cultural Eminents. Many faculty and alumni have been receiving the award. Among them are:[41]

Athletics

The first university horse manege was opened at Shiraz University in 2011.[42]

School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University
Eram Botanical Garden of Shiraz University
School of Engineering, Shiraz University

Notable people

Chancellors
Chancellor Tenure Alma mater Speciality
Zabihollah Ghorban1955–1961 École centrale de LyonMedicine
Mohammad Ali Mojtahedi1961–1962 Université Lille Nord de FranceMechanical Engineering
Lotfali Souratgar1962–1964 University of LondonEnglish Literature
Asadollah Alam1964–1968 Pahlavi UniversityAgricultural Engineering
Houchang Nahavandi1968–1971 University of ParisLaw
Farhang Mehr1971–1978 University of SouthamptonInternational Relations
AmirHoushang Mehryar1978–1979 University of LondonEducational Psychology
Hassan Zohour1979–1981 Purdue UniversityMechanical Engineering
Mostafa Moeen1981–1983 Shiraz UniversityMedicine
Mohammad Reza Fartoukzadeh1983–1984 Shiraz UniversityMedicine
Reza Malekzadeh1984–1987 Shiraz UniversityMedicine
Abdolhamid Riazi1987–1989 University of CalgaryPure Mathematics
Seyed Reza Ghazi1989–1992 University of BristolVeterinary medicine
Gholam Hossein Zamani1992–1996 Shiraz UniversityAgriculture
Mohammad Mehdi Alishahi1996–1997 MITMechanical Engineering
Mahmoud Mostafavi1997–2000 Newcastle UniversityMechanical Biosystems Engineering
Majid Ershad-Langeroodi2000–2005 University of IowaMathematics
Mohammad Hadi Sadeghi2005–2009Criminal Law
Mohammad Moazzeni2009–2013 Shiraz UniversityParasitology
Majid Ershad-Langeroodi2013–2016 University of IowaMathematics
Ebrahim Goshtasbi Rad2016–2018 Shiraz UniversityMechanical Engineering
Hamid Nadgaran2018–current University of ManchesterPhysics

Notable Faculty and Alumni

See also

References
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  3. "Report of Shiraz University in September 2013". Shiraz University.
  4. Shiraz University, Degrees and Programs
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  18. دانشگاه شیراز: انتصاب مدير جديد روابط عمومي دانشگاه شيراز
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  20. ایسنا: "من عزيزم را مي‌خوام" نخستين مجسمه‌ي مدرن ايران، پس از بازسازي، در دانشگاه شيراز پرده‌برداري مي‌شود
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  22. IranArt: موزه هنرهای معاصر شیراز و حسرت ۴۰ و چند ساله/ سایت مورد نظر معمار فنلاندی خانه مسکونی شد/حالا باغات بدون درخت چمران و ۱۰۰ میلیارد تومان
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  25. Narenjestan Mansion website "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2014-05-28. Retrieved 2012-07-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. تاریخچه کتابخانه مرکزی
  29. تاریخچه کتابخانه خوارزمی
  30. دانشگاه شیراز
  31. "Shiraz University; Tough and Distinguished" (PDF).
  32. Academic Ranking of World Universities 2020, Shanghai Ranking Consultancy, retrieved 24 September 2020
  33. CWTS Leiden Ranking 2020, Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University, retrieved 24 September 2020
  34. QS World University Rankings® 2021, Quacquarelli Symonds Limited, retrieved 24 September 2020
  35. World University Rankings 2021, THE Education Ltd, retrieved 2 September 2020
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  37. "Ranking Universities and research Centers of Iran". Ranking Universities of the Islamic World Website. Islamic World Science Citation Center. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 31 July 2017.
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  39. "Shiraz University's Computer discipline achieves 401- 500 rank in Times Rankings". Islamic Republic News Agency. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  40. "Shiraz University". Times Higher Education (THE). 2018-02-05. Retrieved 2019-03-10.
  41. چهره های ماندگار
  42. "با حضور مديركل تربيت بدني وزارت علوم انجام شد؛". farsnews.com. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
  43. وبسایت دانشگاه شیراز: فارغ التحصیلان صاحب منصب
  44. 6 Symposium: Speculations on Anonymous Materials - Reza Negarestani
  45. Faculty of Engineering, University of Western Ontario. "Rohani to receive Engineering Medal at the 2008 Ontario Professional Engineers Awards Gala - Faculty of Engineering, The University of Western Ontario". uwo.ca. Retrieved 11 September 2015.
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