Around 1000 foreign students will be accepted to Iranian universities of medical sciences from next year (starts March 21) as per the policy of the ministry of health and medical education to attract foreign students.
“So far 100 Lebanese students have been admitted to medical specialties and subspecialties in Tehran University, Shahid Beheshti University and the University of Shiraz,” IRNA quoted Amir Mohsen Ziaei, deputy minister (education) at the ministry of health, as saying.
The education expenses of the students are estimated at 200 billion rials ($5.8 million), he said and “a part of the expenses will be paid by the ministry, while the remaining by the students or the pertinent ministry in their home country.”
According to Ziaei, the ministry has granted certain authority to universities to harness foreign students besides simplifying various regulations. Additionally, the universities are ranked based on the number of foreign students, visiting professors, and collaborative research programs with foreign countries.
Tehran University of Medical Sciences is the leading university with 160 foreign students and programs in a number of specialties and subspecialties. In addition, 167 students have been granted scholarships; and many more are studying at other universities.
Also, among 14 students from Syria, 10 have been accepted with financial support from the ministry.
Empty Seats
Pointing to the number of empty seats in universities, Ziaei stressed that higher education centers must create incentives for enthusiastic foreign students “as this will prevent closing education centers and at the same time generate revenue.” Currently there are 100 empty seats in medical subspecialties for foreign admissions, separate from the share of local students, he said.
An award will be granted to universities which implement the policy to admit foreign students in “an efficient and systematic manner.”
There have been many eager medical applicants from neighboring countries. “Students from neighboring countries will get priority over Islamic and other countries in receiving scholarships,” Ziaei added.
