Report from Shiraz University and Shiraz University of Med. Sciences Reunion held in Shiraz (Aban, 1386), 1st

December, 2007

 

Dear Friends:

Here are the message and reports received from Dr. Tehrani, (SUA Board Member) regarding her participation in the Shiraz University and Shiraz University of Med. Sciences Reunion held in Shiraz (Aban, 1386). Dr. Tehrani and Dr. Hassan Ronaghy were representing our SUA at the Reunion. I will forward the report by Dr. Ronaghy later.

I would like to thank Dr. Tehrani for all her wonderful work at the Reunion. As you can see from the attachments, Dr. Tehrani in several meetings that she has had with a number of officials from both of the universities, including Chancellor, Dr. Sadeghi and our friends at the Shiraz Univ. Alumni Assoc. (SUAA) has brought a number of proposals by which our colleagues of both universities and the SUAA have been very positive and welcoming to establish more formal relations and start our cooperation with the institutions.

It is time for all of us to begin thinking of how we can mutually help each other. I am sure a large number of you would like to participate and help your universities.
Soon, the SUA Board will work on having a Coordinating Committee comprising of some Board members from SUA and some from SUAA through which your help financially (e.g. scholarships, etc.) or academically can be coordinated.

We will soon establish guidelines for the Coordinating Committee functions.

Please think of how you can help.

Thank you,

Mohammad Behforouz, Ph.D.
President of the SUA Board

 

 

1. Meeting with the Chancellor of Shiraz University :

Attending: Dr. Sadeghi Dr. Shams( Director of International Office). Dr. Rounaghi, Dr. Tehrani.

Dr. Sadeghi (Chancellor) is willing to send students and faculty to United States for short and long-term training, he mentioned that he is willing to funds and will pay for their faculty and students short-term training/education.

He also mentioned that the College of Literature and Humanities is offering MA in “teaching Persian to non-native speakers” and “ancient languages and literature”. Also BA in “Persian languages and Literature”. He suggested that we can send our alumni children who are studying Farsi for short courses 2-3 weeks to Shiraz University and they will provide room and board, tuition and help with other expenses and entrance visas. Preferably during the summer months. In return if they have any expertise they can share them with their faculty/students by conducting seminars and workshop.

 

 

2. Meeting with Dr. Samani, Dean of School of Engineering. English translation of the minutes of this meeting is:

Meeting Subject: Alumni and Faculty Abroad

Meeting Date: Sunday November 4, 2007, 11:30 AM

Meeting Place: Office of the Inter-University and International Affairs of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Attending:
Dr. Farideh Tehrani, Shiraz University Alumni Association in the United States; Ms. Minoo Nematollahi and Mr. Abram Ayvazian, Alumni Association and Foreign Affairs Committee; Dr. Soleyman Mohammadi Samani, Vice President for Research, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; Ms. Haleh Hashemi Moghaddam, Senior Associate, Office of International Communications and Exchange

Meeting Decisions:
The meeting resolved that the Iranians and their relatives living abroad, who are seeking opportunities to present workshops, carry out research, and/or teach relevant courses at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, may contact this office to facilitate their request. For stays of less than two weeks, the University shall provide the necessary amenities (including the cost of housing, travel ticket, transportation, and production of workshop material).

In this regard, it was also resolved that the University, on its part and so long as enough lead time is given, shall carry out administrative follow-up of such personal matters as obtaining visas for the applicants.

It was also resolved that Shiraz University Alumni Association in the United States shall provide assistance to applicants who are interested in attending conferences and other such short-term activities abroad.

In conclusion, within the existing limitations, the goal of this office is to facilitate processes and useful relations that are aimed at improving the scientific development of our beloved country.

Signed:
Dr. Farideh Tehrani
Abram Ayvazian
Minoo Nematollahi
Dr. Soleyman Mohammadi Samani
Haleh Hashemi Moghaddam

 

3. Meeting with Dr. Handjani Professor of Medicine at the University of Medical Sciences. English Translation of this meeting is:

Minutes

Meeting Subject: Relations between OSEIP and Shiraz University Alumni Association in the United States

 Meeting Date: Sunday November 11, 2007, 11:00 AM

 Meeting Place: Office of the Inter-University and International Affairs of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Attending:
Dr. Farideh Tehrani, Shiraz University Alumni Association in the United States; Dr. Farhad Hanjani; Ms. Haleh Hashemi Moghaddam, Senior Associate, Office of International Communications and Exchange

Meeting Decisions:
•  Development of a special system of relations with the Alumni, and collection of up-to-date information for the purpose of strengthening the Alumni Association.

•  Development of workshops and courses in such areas as Emergency Medicine, Medical Ethics, and Medical Journalism, as well as establishment, in Iran, of a Ph.D. program in the field of Genetics.

•  Coordination of activities in the area of holding conferences; providing the necessary information to the Shiraz University Alumni Association in the United States to facilitate Alumni participation in these conferences; and inviting the Alumni to present scientific lectures.

•  Implementation of regular programs on the international island of Kish, which is accessible to participants from all other countries.

•  Cooperation in the area of providing Travel Grants and Research Project Grants to students and faculty for participating in and presenting papers at international conferences.

•  Consideration of Iranian experts living abroad for receiving Honorary Doctoral Degrees from Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.

Signed:
Dr. Farideh Tehrani
Dr. Farhad Hanjani
Haleh Hashemi Moghaddam

 

4. Meeting with Dr. Riazi: Chair of the Research and Professor of Physics Department).

 “Shiraz University has started a program to host foreign academics for short visits. The visiting professors will jointly supervise postgraduate theses. In particular, the following fields are in more need: - Nano technology - Biotechnology - IT – ICT - Energy (Oil and gas) - Environment and sustainable development - Observational astronomy - Establishing co-authorships.   - Biruni Observatory is planning an international conference on “Astronomy” in Shiraz. Their request was that we publicize and encourage attendees for this conference. Also, if we can contact Dr. Firooz Naderi to attend.

(University will pay travel expenses, local expenses and housing) Also they would like to establish links for sending interns for above fields from Shiraz Univ. to Unites States (subject to governmental regulations).

 

5. Meeting with the University Librarians :

Shiraz University libraries have access to a good number of the Science Databases, which look sufficient for the research faculty and graduate, and undergraduate students.

They requested that we establish links to send our professional librarians for short-term training to Shiraz University. They also showed interest to come to United States for short term internships and training.

 

I also met with the following University and Alumni Association Officials:

•  Dr. Habib Firoozabadi (Alumni Association Founder, Board Member and ex-professor of Chemistry).

•  Dr. Farhad Handjani (Professor of School of Medical Sciences).

•  Dr. Riazi (Chair of the Research and Professor of Physics Department).

•  Ms. Minoo Nematollahi (Director of the Alumni Office and ex-professor of School of Engineering).

•  Dr. Erami (Director of Alumni Association and ex-Professor School of Agriculture, and New Chair of the Alumni Association).

•  Dr. Abraham Ayvazian (ex-professor and Alumni Association Board Member, Chair of Tehran Chapter).

•  The University Librarians (Shiraz University and University of Medical Sciences.)

•  Dr. Khayatian Dean of School of Engineering, and Dr. Minoo Nematollahi Chair of the Alumni Association and ex-Professor of Engineering School.

 

Note: The result of the vote for selecting four individuals to work with the United States committee members are:

Abram Ayvazian
Minoo Nematollahi
Dr. Soleyman Mohammadi Samani
Dr. Nematollah Erami (chair of Shiraz Alumni Association)