Khatam University Holds Elections for Its First Academic Promotions Committee

According to the Public Relations Office and the official website of Khatam University, following the issuance of a permit by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology authorizing the establishment of the University's Academic Promotions Committee, an introductory session on the committee formation process was held on the morning of “Monday, July 27”. The ceremony was attended by “Ayatollah Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad”, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khatam University; “Dr. Majid Ghasemi”, President of Khatam University; the University's vice presidents, administrators, and faculty members. The event included presentations on the process of establishing the committee, its governing regulations and procedures, and concluded with elections to determine the committee's members, held in the University's amphitheater.

At the beginning of the ceremony, before the elections, “Dr. Majid Ghasemi”, President of Khatam University, described the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology's approval for the establishment of the University's Academic Promotions Committee as a major honor for Khatam University. He referred to “July 27, 2026”, as a memorable and auspicious day in the University's history. Wishing continued academic excellence for the University's professors and faculty members, he stated: "A university that appoints its young faculty members solely on the basis of academic merit and without any personal connections deserves such achievements. As long as the University continues to be administered in this manner, its path toward academic excellence will remain smooth and sustainable."

Dr. Ghasemi then referred to the history of modern higher education in Iran, tracing it back to the establishment of “Dar-ol-Fonoun” during the era of “Amir Kabir”. While honoring the memory of “Mirza Mohammad Taghi Khan Farahani”, who ultimately sacrificed his life for the cause of Iran's development, he highlighted efforts of Bank Pasargad in recent years to continue that legacy through the construction of Dar-ol-Fonoun schools in provincial capitals. He added: "Our Dar-ol-Fonoun schools serve as the academic foundation before university education. God willing, the outstanding students graduating from these schools will succeed in the national university entrance examination, enroll at Khatam University, and contribute to strengthening its academic excellence in the future."

He also referred to Bank Pasargad's initiative, as part of its corporate social responsibility, to identify and support “793 child laborers” in continuing their education. He stated: "By the grace of God, a considerable number of these children have achieved grade point averages above 18 out of 20, many have entered universities, and nearly 17 are currently studying at the country's top universities. This is a source of great pride for us."

Recalling Iran's rich scientific and civilizational heritage as well as the tradition of Islamic philosophy, Dr. Ghasemi emphasized that one of Iran's greatest distinctions is its long-standing scholarly and cultural legacy. He continued: "Today, Western philosophers have come to recognize that three groups of scholars lack true wisdom: first, those whose knowledge has become obsolete; second, those who possess modern knowledge but fail to use it; and third, those who possess and apply modern knowledge but disregard the public good. This principle, however, has long been a cornerstone of Islamic philosophy and has guided our great scholars for centuries."

Also speaking at the ceremony, “Ayatollah Mostafa Mohaghegh Damad”, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Khatam University, cited a verse from the Holy Qur'an and a saying from “Nahj al-Balagha” to explain the role of knowledge in overcoming challenges. He quoted the Qur'anic verse: "O company of jinn and humankind! If you are able to pass beyond the regions of the heavens and the earth, then pass. You cannot pass except with authority."

He then referred to the saying of Imam Ali: "Knowledge is authority. Whoever acquires it prevails through it, and whoever lacks it will be overcome."

He continued: "We do appreciate our soldiers, who, despite sanctions and with limited resources, succeeded during these past months in prevailing over our enemies. Had it not been for knowledge, our enemies would certainly have dominated and crushed us."

Ayatollah Mohaghegh Damad described Iran's scientific and civilizational heritage as the country's greatest source of pride, citing figures such as “Sa’adi”, “Hafiz”, and “Ferdowsi”, along with enduring institutions such as “Gundeshapur” and “Rab'-e Rashidi”. At the same time, he stressed that preserving this legacy depends upon academic freedom within universities. He stated: "One of the shortcomings of our universities is that although they have expanded quantitatively, they have not achieved comparable growth in quality or in the free pursuit of knowledge. Our universities suffer from excessive supervision and control. If students are given the freedom to choose their own professors, over time we will witness a flourishing of academic quality."

He also praised the efforts of the President of Khatam University in promoting what he described as cultural endowment, including support for child laborers to continue their education and the establishment of Dar-ol-Fonoun schools in underserved regions. He regarded the endowment of wealth for the advancement of science as one of the most valuable charitable acts and concluded by congratulating the University's administration and faculty members on receiving authorization to establish an independent Academic Promotions Committee.

During the meeting, “Dr. Bahaeddin Shariat”, Vice President for Education and Graduate Studies at Khatam University, described the day as a historic milestone for the University. He remarked:

"It is commonly said that any university capable of obtaining authorization to establish its own Academic Promotions Committee has reached academic maturity. From this perspective, we should take pride in being part of Khatam University today."

He went on to review the history of higher education in Iran and presented a report on the establishment process of the committee as well as its governing regulations and procedures. He explained: "Modern higher education in Iran dates back to 1934 with the establishment of the University of Tehran. Even before that, in 1913, institutions such as the School of Political Science and the School of Agriculture played significant roles in laying the foundations of university education. Before the Islamic Revolution, Iran had 14 public universities, 15 higher education institutions, and several non-profit institutions. After the Revolution, the establishment of universities continued, and following the recommendation of the Cultural Revolution Headquarters, a committee was formed within the Ministry of Science to draft regulations for faculty promotion. I served as the secretary of that committee."

According to the Vice President for Education and Graduate Studies, the faculty promotion regulations were revised three times between 1983 and 1990 before being finalized and officially adopted in 1990. During the tenure of “Dr. Mohammad-Ali Tofighi” as Minister of Science, universities meeting certain requirements were permitted to establish their own Academic Promotions Committees, a policy that remains in effect today.

He added: "Today, Khatam University has become the first non-profit university in the country to receive authorization to establish an independent Academic Promotions Committee. God willing, today's elections will determine its members, after which the results will be submitted to the Ministry of Science. We hope to convene the committee's first official meeting at the beginning of the new academic year."

Also addressing the gathering, “Dr. Hamid Mirzadeh”, faculty member and Professor of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering at Khatam University, referred to a report prepared over the past two years by the Education, Research and Technology Commission of the Assembly of Ministers, under his supervision, entitled “The Current State of Higher Education: Challenges, Strategies, and Solutions.” He stated:

"Developed countries have reached the conclusion that national development depends on advancing education, research, and technology. A review of global statistics clearly shows that the countries which have invested in these areas now rank among the world's leading powers."

He continued: "Iran has also paid attention to this issue to some extent. Particularly during the sixteen years of the administrations of Presidents Hashemi Rafsanjani and Khatami, conditions were more favorable and the country's GDP growth was positive. In advanced countries, between three and six percent of GDP is typically allocated to research and development, whereas in Iran this figure has never exceeded half a percent."

Dr. Mirzadeh also praised what he described as Dr. Ghasemi's visionary decision to establish Khatam University and allocate sufficient funding for the construction and completion of its campus project. He compared this initiative to the farsighted decision of the late Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani in founding the Islamic Azad University during the 1980s.

He added: "Fortunately, Khatam University is now regarded as one of the country's fifth-generation universities and has also made a significant contribution toward reverse brain drain."

He further remarked: "The achievement of establishing an independent Academic Promotions Committee did not come easily. We must appreciate the University's current position and status. This accomplishment has the potential to enhance both the standing of Khatam University's faculty members and the University's own academic reputation."

According to the report, the ceremony concluded with elections to select the members of the first Academic Promotions Committee of Khatam University. Faculty members from the University's various academic groups participated in the voting process.