Chairs | Iranian National Commission for UNESCO

UNESCO Chairs

UNESCO Chairs are national or regional entities whose activities are focused on a specific scientific field. A UNESCO Chair may be established as a new educational or research unit within a university or a higher education research institution. It may also be established within a university department by strengthening existing educational and research programmes in a specific field.

UNESCO Chair in Bioethics Studies

Established: 2021

Host Institution: Research Center for Ethics and Medical History, Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Chairholder: Dr. Bagher Larijani

The UNESCO Chair in Bioethics Studies is the first UNESCO Chair in the field of bioethics in the Middle East. Since 2020, the host institution, the Research Center for Ethics and Medical History at Tehran University of Medical Sciences, has been recognized as a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Bioethics Studies. The establishment of this Chair can therefore serve as a meeting point for international activities in medical ethics across the Eastern Mediterranean under UNESCO and the World Health Organization.

Given the Research Center for Ethics and Medical History’s track record in national and international activities, the Chair can play a significant role in advancing bioethics and keeping knowledge in this field up to date by establishing a network of scholars in medical ethics and bioethics, facilitating the exchange and sharing of knowledge among them, and taking cultural and religious perspectives into account.

In this regard, the objectives of the Chair are outlined as follows:

Short-Term Objectives:

Integrating bioethics principles into biomedical research activities.
Facilitating dialogue between researchers and policymakers.
Improving existing policies in research, education and healthcare delivery based on bioethics principles.

Long-Term Objectives:

Advancing bioethics research to improve health, promote gender equality and empower women in society.
Developing ethics education programs to improve the quality of education in this field.
Building capacity to translate bioethics knowledge into practice.
Training specialized human resources in bioethics education.

Specific Objectives:

Reviewing and revising existing medical ethics curricula.
Designing and developing short-term training courses.
Sharing knowledge and research findings in bioethics at the national, regional and international levels through conferences, workshops and other activities.
Developing and facilitating a network of bioethics educators to foster a better understanding of intercultural differences.
Working closely with UNESCO on related programs.

Activities:

Organizing joint postgraduate educational programs.
Organizing short-term training courses, such as the introductory Ethics Teachers Training Course (ETTC), in collaboration with UNESCO.
Collaborating with other UNESCO Chairs, particularly those specializing in bioethics in the region and worldwide.
Organizing joint conferences with UNESCO.
Inviting UNESCO-affiliated professors and bioethics specialists.
Securing research funding in the field of bioethics.
Developing the institution in line with UNESCO’s priorities.

Address: Research Center for Ethics and Medical History, No. 23, Corner of 16 Azar Street and Pour Sina Street, Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran, Iran

Tel./Fax: +98 21 66419661

Email: mehr@tums.ac.ir

Website: https://mehr.tums.ac.ir

UNESCO Chair in Coastal Geological Hazards (2021)

Established: 2021

Host Institution: Institute of Earth Sciences, Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of Iran

Chairholder: Dr. Hamid Nazari

The UNESCO Chair on Coastal Geological Hazards, the first UNESCO Chair in the field of Earth sciences in Iran, can serve as a tool for capacity-building within educational and research networks through knowledge exchange and sharing, supported by international structural frameworks. Accordingly, in line with UNESCO’s strategy, the Chair’s overarching strategy is to develop scientific structures and promote international cooperation among countries and between more and less advantaged partners.

The major achievement of securing the UNESCO Chair on Coastal Geological Hazards, considering the international and structural capacities of UNESCO Chairs and twinned universities in infrastructure reconstruction, development, innovation and modernization, can mark a turning point in scientific guidance and regional and international networking. Its aim is to facilitate knowledge and infrastructure sharing, knowledge and technology transfer, and the adaptation of these to local contexts.

To achieve this goal, the Chair on Coastal Geological Hazards will initially draw on the collective expertise of scientists from Australia, Japan, China, Russia, Armenia, Germany, Switzerland, France and Iran through the establishment of a network of Earth science researchers within the framework of the Chair’s Scientific Steering Committee.

In view of the Chair’s objectives and its supporting project, several questions arise:

From an academic perspective:

To understand the collision orogenic system, it is necessary to go beyond identifying faults and deformation processes and integrate historical data with geoarchaeological evidence to address questions at the crustal scale.

From a social perspective, the following questions need to be addressed:

What are the magnitude, location and timing of earthquakes? How might they be linked to known active faults at a broader regional and transboundary scale?
Are there seismic ruptures along the coastal zone that may correspond to historical earthquakes whose locations have not yet been identified?
What is the likelihood of a tsunami occurring?

Email: uccgha.ries@gmail.com

Website: https://unescoiran.com

Tel.: +98 21 66070518

Fax: +98 21 66070511

UNESCO Chair in Science Promotion (2019)

Established: 2020

Host Institution: National Research Institute for Science Policy

Chairholder: Dr. Akram Ghadimi

Objectives of the Chair:

Promoting public education in various fields, including health, technical and vocational education and training, science education, and critical thinking skills, to empower people in their daily lives, health-related matters, and use of science and technology.
Seeking to protect the environment, with a focus on climate change, natural disasters and emergencies, and the water crisis.
Promoting scientific ethics.
Empowering the public in science and technology, with an emphasis on gender equality.
Utilizing the potential of new media to popularize science.
Seeking to establish a regional network for grassroots innovations.
Institutionalizing a scientific culture by drawing on national and local capacities.
Establishing connections between scientific values and individual values.
Enhancing social solidarity and cohesion in science communication.
Changing public attitudes and beliefs about science.

Address: No. 9, Soheil Street, South Shirazi Street, Molla Sadra Street, Vanak Square, Tehran, Iran

Tel.: +98 21 88036144, ext. 206

Fax: +98 21 88061747

Email: unesco.cps@gmail.com

Chair Website: http://nrisp.ac.ir/fa/page/%DA%A9%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C-%D8%AA%D8%B1%D9%88%DB%8C%D8%AC-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85-%DA%A9%D9%84%DB%8C%D8%AF-%D8%AE%D8%B1%D8%AF%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B2%DB%8C-%D9%88-%D8%B9%D9%82%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AA

UNESCO Chair in Communication in Science and Technology (2017)

Established: 2017
Host Institution: Academy of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Chairholder: Dr. Mohammad Ali Mohaqeqi

Objectives of the Chair:

To establish and promote an integrated system for research, education, information dissemination and documentation in the field of traditional medicine. The Chair facilitates cooperation between the academic and research staff of the Academy of Medical Sciences, who are highly qualified and internationally recognized, and other institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and other parts of the world. The specific objectives of the Chair are as follows:
To collaborate with partners on research into the sciences and methods of traditional medicine, contributing to the development of a reference encyclopedia in this field.
To support capacity-building in traditional medicine, particularly by providing short-term training courses for students, academics, researchers, professionals and visiting professors.
To strengthen exchanges of academic staff and students.
To improve networking and the sharing of knowledge and good practices through the production and wide distribution of publications, the organization of national, regional and international meetings, and the development of specialized websites.
To cooperate closely with UNESCO and UNESCO Chairs on related activities and programs.

Address: Academy of Medical Sciences, Academy Complex of the Islamic Republic of Iran, South Entrance, National Library Entrance, Haqqani Expressway, Vanak Square, Tehran, Iran
Tel./Fax: +98 21 88645510
Email: —
Website: www.ams.ac.ir

UNESCO Chair in the History of Traditional Medicine (2017)

Established: 2017
Host Institution: Academy of Medical Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran
Chairholder: Dr. Mohammad Ali Mohaqeqi

Objectives of the Chair:

To establish and promote an integrated system for research, education, information dissemination and documentation in the field of traditional medicine. The Chair facilitates cooperation between the academic and research staff of the Academy of Medical Sciences, who are highly qualified and internationally recognized, and other institutions in the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Asia-Pacific region, Europe and other parts of the world. The specific objectives of the Chair are as follows:
To collaborate with partners on research into the sciences and methods of traditional medicine, contributing to the development of a reference encyclopedia in this field.
To support capacity-building in traditional medicine, particularly by providing short-term training courses for students, academics, researchers, professionals and visiting professors.
To strengthen exchanges of academic staff and students.
To improve networking and the sharing of knowledge and good practices through the production and wide distribution of publications, the organization of national, regional and international meetings, and the development of specialized websites.
To cooperate closely with UNESCO and UNESCO Chairs on related activities and programs.

UNESCO Chair in Environmental Education (2017)

Established: 2017 (Third term renewed in 2025)
Host Institution: Payame Noor University
Chairholder: Dr. Seyed Mohammad Shabiri

Objectives of the Chair:

To promote an integrated system of research, education, information dissemination and documentation in the fields of sustainable development and environmental education.
To facilitate cooperation among leading researchers and university faculty members and educators at educational institutions in Iran, the Asia-Pacific region and other parts of the world.
To educate students, teachers and administrative staff on environmental issues to help them become responsible global citizens.
To engage experienced non-governmental organizations in educating students on environmental issues.
To cooperate closely with UNESCO on programs and activities related to environmental education and related topics.

Address: Central Organization of Payame Noor University, Nakhl Street, first street in Naft Township, Artesh Boulevard, Mini City, Tehran, Iran
Postal Code: 193954697
Tel.: +98 21 84234237
Fax: +98 21 88911772
Email: ucee@pnu.ac.ir
Websites: ucee.pnu.ac.ir; ucee.ir

Established: 2016
Host Institution: University of Tehran
Chairholder: Dr. Younes Nourbakhsh

Objectives of the Chair:

To identify national and international institutions (academic and non-academic institutions and non-governmental organizations), specialized agencies, and prominent Iranian scholars working in the field of social health worldwide, with a focus on their contributions.
To organize lectures, workshops, seminars and conferences related to social health.
To publish books, journals, newsletters, booklets and pamphlets.
To exchange speakers, researchers and students with partners and cooperate closely with UNESCO and relevant UNESCO Chairs on programs and activities related to social health.

Address: Unit 1, No. 8, Shahed Alley, beginning of Vesal Shirazi Street, Keshavarz Boulevard, Tehran, Iran
Postal Code: 1417753991
Tel./Fax: +98 21 88994340
Email: ucshd@ut.ac.ir
Website: ucshd.ut.ac.ir

UNESCO Chair in E-Education and E-Learning (2016)

Established: 2016
Host Institution: Mehr Alborz Institute of Higher Education
Chairholder: Mehdi Shami Zanjani

Short-Term Objectives:

Developing digital educational content.
Empowering educational personnel.
Building national connections and networks.
Developing academic disciplines and study programs.
Establishing a quality assessment and monitoring system.

Long-Term Objectives:

Achieving educational equity through technology.
Promoting innovation in learning through emerging technologies.
Expanding international cooperation and scientific diplomacy.
Linking education with sustainable development.
Achieving regional and international scientific leadership.

Address: No. 36, Danesh Sani Intersection, Salehi Street, Shahid Fakouri Street, North Kargar Street, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 57658 (Extensions 330 and 331)
Fax: +98 21 89788886
Email: info@ucet.ir
Website: www.ucet.ir

UNESCO Chair in Human Rights, Peace and Democracy at Shahid Beheshti University (2016)

Established: 2016
Host Institution: Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University
Chairholder: Dr. Mehdi Sabouripour

Objectives of the Chair:

To conduct basic and applied research in the fields of human rights, citizens’ rights, peace and democracy, philosophy of law and religion, and bioethics.
To provide education on citizens’ rights and human rights in their various civil, political, economic, social and cultural dimensions, taking into account religious and national culture.
To seek to facilitate the country’s participation in the process of developing and advancing the international human rights system.
To promote the participation of the country’s scholars and the presentation of new theories on citizens’ rights, the relationship between religion and human rights, peace and democracy, and the philosophy of law.
To develop the capacities required for sustained cooperation with similar centers and international and regional organizations, both governmental and non-governmental.
To train the country’s academic, educational and research personnel, as well as specialists, and to adapt relevant concepts and approaches to local contexts while respecting the universality of human rights.

Address: Shahid Beheshti University, South Gate, Beginning of Darakeh Street, Shahid Shahriari Square, Rashid al-Din Fazlullah Boulevard, Yemen Street, Chamran Expressway, Tehran, Iran
Tel./Fax: +98 21 22431911–13
Email: info.chpd@mail.sbu.ac.ir
Website: www.sbu.ac.ir/chpd

UNESCO Chair in Cyberspace and Culture: The Dual-Space World (2015)

Established: 2015
Host Institution: Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran
Chairholder: Dr. Saeed Reza Ameli

Objectives of the Chair:

To examine various concepts of culture and cyberspace.
To explain the concept of the dual spatialization of the world (physical–virtual).
To examine the interaction between culture and cyberspace.
To assess skills in making use of the opportunities offered by cyberspace.
To identify practical measures to enhance knowledge, rationality, information literacy and media literacy skills.
To analyze the most significant local, national and international issues related to the dual spatialization of culture.
To explore the major opportunities and challenges associated with culture, cyberspace and lifestyles.
To examine the interconnection of cultural experiences and the emergence of new forms of cultural affinity.
To examine how global coexistence can be achieved and multiculturalism expanded.

Address: Faculty of World Studies, University of Tehran, North Kargar Street, above 15th Street, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 88011442
Fax: +98 21 611119303
Email: cccdw@ut.ac.ir
Website: —

UNESCO Chair in Teachers as Lifelong Learners (2014)

Established: 2014
Host Institution: Farhangian University
Chairholder: Dr. Mahmoud Mehrmohammadi

Objectives of the Chair:

To enhance an integrated system of education, research, information dissemination and documentation in the fields of teachers’ professional development and the advancement of their status, and to facilitate cooperation between leading international researchers and university professors and other educational institutions in Iran, the Asia-Pacific region and other parts of the world.
To design and implement professional development programs for teachers at the bachelor’s and master’s levels as a means of improving the quality of education.
To organize short-term training courses for teachers and promote exchanges of academic staff and students.
To conduct research on teachers’ professional development and the advancement of their status in cooperation with partners, with a view to expanding knowledge and experience in this field and developing and implementing lifelong learning policies for teachers.
To establish and maintain a network of teachers and teacher-training institutions in the country and the region to promote cooperation in teachers’ professional development and the advancement of their status.
To share knowledge and information about teachers by establishing and maintaining a website, organizing conferences and workshops, and publishing newsletters on teacher education, research studies and other publications.
To cooperate with UNESCO Chairs and the UNITWIN Network in the field of teachers.
To cooperate with UNESCO in implementing programs and activities related to teachers.

Address: Farhangian University, opposite Erikeh Iranian, Teacher Training Street, Shahid Farahzadi Boulevard, Shahrak-e Qods, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 88751208–88751141
Fax: +98 21 88560404
Email: unesco.chair@cfu.ac.ir
Website: cfu.ac.ir/unescochairtlll/en

UNESCO Chair in Natural Disaster Management (2014)

Established: 2014
Host Institution: Research Institute and Higher Education Center for Applied Science and Technology in Natural Disaster Management
Chairholder: Dr. Seyed Amir Hossein Gorgani

Objectives of the Chair:

To establish links among educational and research institutions and research centers in the field of natural disaster management.
To train specialists and human resources for the implementation of natural disaster management.
To plan educational activities related to the Chair’s work, treating natural disaster management as an intersectoral subject.

Address: No. 55, Roodsar Street, Shahid Faramarz Behafarin Street, Valiasr Square, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 88937362–64
Fax: +98 21 88937367
Email:
Website: https://ndri.ac.ir

UNESCO Chair in Engineering Education (2014)

Established: 2014
Host Institution: College of Engineering, University of Tehran
Chairholder: Professor Hossein Memarian

Objectives of the Chair:

To establish an integrated system for research, education and refresher training.
To disseminate information and document developments in engineering education, and facilitate cooperation between leading global academic and research institutions and researchers, faculty members of the College of Engineering at the University of Tehran, other higher education institutions in Iran, and engineering education institutions in countries across the region and beyond.
To conduct joint research on various aspects of engineering education in Iran.
To identify challenges and propose solutions.
To establish postgraduate programs in engineering education.
To collect and disseminate data and information on global advances in engineering education.
To help strengthen links between industry and universities.
To participate in the design of a national system for evaluating engineering education.
To work closely with UNESCO on related programs and activities.

Address: Office of the UNESCO Chair in Engineering Education, Unit 1, First Floor, No. 429, Taleghani Street, between Vesal and Ghods Streets, Tehran, Iran
Postal Code: 1417713763
Tel.: +98 21 88992215
Fax: +98 21 88953188
Email: ucee@ut.ac.ir
Website: www.ucee.ut.ac.ir

UNESCO Chair in Water Recycling (2014)

Established: 2014
Host Institution: College of Engineering, University of Tehran
Chairholder: Professor Mohammad Hossein Sarrafzadeh

Objectives of the Chair:

To address water scarcity and recent droughts, which may pose serious challenges for the country.
To examine the use of untreated wastewater in agriculture, which poses a threat to public health.
To consider treated wastewater as a new and unconventional source of water.
To develop education and awareness-raising programs for different segments of society, based on identified target groups, to promote a culture of wastewater treatment and its reuse.
To encourage behavioral change and public participation in protecting freshwater resources and making prudent use of wastewater.
To expand educational and research activities; identify and prioritize needs in water recycling science and engineering; develop a scientific and technological database on water recycling; promote the preparation, translation and introduction of books and publications; encourage researchers to work in this field; and review water recycling projects and programs at the national and international levels, including ways to foster cooperation and communication among them.

Address: Unit 8, No. 11, Ferdanesh Alley, Ghods Street, Enghelab Street, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 88970375
Fax: 88974639
Email: ucwr@ut.ac.ir
Website: ucwr.ut.ac.ir

UNESCO Chair in Diabetes Biophysics (2014)

Established: 2014
Associated Institution: Institute of Biophysics and Biochemistry, University of Tehran
Chairholder: Dr. Mousavi Movahedi

Objectives of the Chair:

To strengthen research, education, information systems and documentation activities in the field of diabetes biophysics.
To facilitate cooperation between leading international researchers and the University’s research group.

Address: University of Tehran, Enghelab Street, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 66403957
Fax: 66404680
Email:
Website:

UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship (2009)

Established: 2010
Host Institution: Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran
Chairholder: Dr. Seyed Mohammad Moghimi
Deputy Chairholder: Dr. Reza Mohammad Kazemi

Objectives of the Chair:

To promote an integrated system of research, education, and the collection of documentation and information in the field of entrepreneurship.
To plan and develop academic and research programs, as well as capacity-building activities in entrepreneurship as an interdisciplinary field.
To establish distance-learning and e-learning units.
To develop educational materials and curricula adapted to the local conditions of countries in the region.
To publish an international journal on entrepreneurship, support the publication of other periodicals in the field, and expand outreach activities.
To strengthen networking and foster links between industry and academia, as well as organize specialized academic symposia and conferences on entrepreneurship-related topics to expand inter-university cooperation and promote mutual understanding between industry and academia.

Address: UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Shahid Farshi Moghadam Street (16th Street), North Kargar Avenue, Tehran, Iran
Tel.: +98 21 88337638
Fax: 88339098
Email: unescochair@ut.ac.ir
Website: uce.ut.ac.ir

The Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research (English-language journal)
http://ent.ut.ac.ir/jger | https://journal-jger.springeropen.com

UNESCO Chair in Management, Planning and Quality Assurance in Higher Education (2007)

Established: 2007

Host Institution: Institute for Research and Planning in Higher Education

Twin Universities and UNESCO Chairs

The UNESCO Global Network of Learning Cities (GNLC) is an international network that provides inspiration, knowledge and best practices. The program is coordinated by the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL). The Network supports its member cities in the following areas:

Promoting a culture of dialogue and peer learning;
Documenting effective strategies, best practices and approaches;
Strengthening civic participation;
Enhancing development capacity;
Developing tools for designing, implementing and monitoring learning city strategies.

Program Partners:

Universities and research centres;
Scientific associations;
Governmental and non-governmental foundations and organizations;
Private and public sector entities active in the field of higher education.

Type of Activity:

Conducting research activities;
Organizing lectures and scientific roundtable discussions;
Organizing national, regional and international meetings and conferences;
Sending and exchanging students and faculty members with higher education institutions, UNESCO Chairs and academic networks in other countries;
Developing educational programs;
Implementing operational projects.

-Conducting fundamental (pure) research studies;

To establish a network of twin universities at the national or regional level, a group of universities in different countries (North–South or South–South) may decide to form a network in a specific field. Accordingly, they should submit their proposal in writing to the National Commission, so that the National Commission for UNESCO can conduct the necessary assessments and facilitate the establishment of the network.

Characteristics of the University or Research Institution Applying for a UNESCO Chair:

Conducting educational or research activities in one of the scientific fields corresponding to UNESCO’s five areas of expertise: Education, Natural Sciences, Social and Human Sciences, Culture, and Communication and Information;
Having an outstanding academic coordinator and scientific director in the relevant field of expertise;
Having carried out significant academic, educational and research activities in the field of the proposed Chair over several consecutive years;
Having a number of specialized researchers and faculty members, as well as students and researchers conducting research at advanced levels of education and research in the field of the proposed Chair;
Being a leading university or institution in the relevant field at the national, regional and international levels.

-Having significant scholarly and research publications, including books, reports on scientific and research programs, and statistical yearbooks.

Guidelines and Process for Establishing a UNESCO Chair at Universities and Research Institutions

1. Correspondence with the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran to formally express readiness to establish a UNESCO Chair.

2. Submission to the National Commission for UNESCO of the necessary information regarding the administrative, financial and technical facilities and resources of the relevant university or institution, as well as the allocation of the necessary budget for the proposed Chair.

3. Submission to the National Commission for UNESCO of the necessary information, documents and supporting materials, including books and reports, demonstrating the academic capacity and qualifications of the university/research institution in the field of activity of the proposed Chair.

4. Preliminary assessment by the National Commission for UNESCO of the academic and operational capacities of the applicant institution to establish the proposed Chair.

5. If the National Commission for UNESCO conducts a positive assessment, the specific proposal form for the establishment of a UNESCO Chair will be provided to the applicant institution.

6. The highest executive authority of the relevant institution (the president of the university or institution) must submit an official motivation letter to the National Commission for UNESCO requesting the establishment of a UNESCO Chair at the institution. Along with this letter, the relevant information and documents concerning the establishment of the Chair; including the completed UNESCO Chair proposal form, letters of regional support from relevant specialized institutions in the field of activity of the Chair at the regional and international levels, and the CV of the proposed Chairholder, must be submitted by 30 April each year.

Following receipt of the required information from the applicant institution, the National Commission for UNESCO will conduct the necessary correspondence with UNESCO’s higher education division. If the division’s assessment of the application submitted by the host university/institution is positive, an agreement will be concluded between the Director-General of UNESCO and the head of the applicant institution for a four-year period. The institution hosting the Chair will then be required to submit an annual report on the Chair’s activities and performance to UNESCO and the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement concluded with UNESCO.

UNESCO Chairs

Twin Universities and UNESCO Chairs

Program Partners:

Type of Activity:

Characteristics of the University or Research Institution Applying for a UNESCO Chair:

Guidelines and Process for Establishing a UNESCO Chair at Universities and Research Institutions

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