University of Tabriz

The University of Tabriz in Tabriz, East Azarbaijan, a co-educational institution, was founded in 1947 as the second university in Iran, after the University of Tehran. Today it is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Initially called the University of Azarabadeghan, with just three faculties, of medicine, agriculture, and pedagogy, the university got its current name after the 1979 Islamic Revolution. The University of Tabriz has its main campus in Tabriz, as well as three other satellite campuses, Aras International Campus, Miyaneh Technical College, and Marand Technical College, which in total area make up the second largest campus in Iran. Due to its research work, the university is recognised as a Center of Excellence for six fields: Geographical Studies of Northwest Iran; Biology; Mechatronics; Molecular Plant Breeding; New Materials and Clean Chemistry; and Photonics and Plasma. Several research centres are housed on campus, including the Centre of Excellence in Mechatronics Systems, the Centre for Applied Physics and Astronomical Research, and the Biotechnology Centre for Pharmaceutical Herbs. Admission for Iranian students is through the national entrance examination administered by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (Iran), and is limited to students receiving the top one percent of results. The university plays an active role internationally, conducting joint programmes with many universities around the world, as well as being part of associations such as the International Universities Council and the Association of Caucasian universities. In its 70-year history, the University of Tabriz has produced many notable alumni, including the Iranian writer and social critic Samad Behrangi, the writer and playwright Gholam Hossein Saedi, and the father of Iran’s chemistry and polymer science, Ali Akbar Entezami.