Imam Javad University (AS) Addresses Higher Education Challenges with an Analytical Approach

According to the Public Relations of the Cultural Charity Organization of Hazrat Javad Al-Aameh (AS) and the Imam Javad University (AS) News Agency, “Dariush Poursarajian,” the President of Imam Javad University (AS), referred to the history of the institution and stated at the ceremony: Imam Javad University (AS) received an operating license in 2005 and began accepting students in October of that year. The university, which initially started its work with a limited number of students, now has nearly 6,000 graduates and more than 2,500 students.

Emphasizing the university’s analytical approach to higher education challenges, he added: “As a non-profit institution, Imam Javad University (AS) has always tried to operate in the region with a developmental perspective and take steps to resolve them by examining the challenges and capacities of the province.”

Poursarajian pointed out the university’s notable initiatives and said, “In line with a different and analytical approach to education, Imam Javad University (AS) launched an entrepreneurship club in its early years, at a time when the technology ecosystem had not yet been formed in its current form. The university has also worked to restore the Science House in light of the need for this field and has held four architectural competitions so far.”

He also mentioned the opening of the Yazd Branch of the Iranology Society as one of the honors of this group and emphasized the flexibility of this group in responding to the needs of society.

Poursarajian finally stated, “In the university’s 11th program to honor and celebrate outstanding personalities, we are honored to honor Abbas Ali Motavaslian, one of Yazd’s prominent entrepreneurs, as the 11th outstanding personality of the province.”

Ferdowsi, the founder of Iranology and the link between Iran and Islam

“Reza Amrollahi,” the chairman of the Board of Trustees of Imam Javad University (AS), at the ceremony commemorating Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi and Engineer’s Day, considered Ferdowsi one of the most influential figures in Iranology and said: “Firdowsi studied Iranology at a time when no one had the opportunity or the knowledge to do so. He spoke of wisdom before the Renaissance and was the first person to speak about wisdom, awareness, and knowledge, with this famous sentence: “In the name of God, life and wisdom.””

He added: “Firdowsi is the one who immortalized the link between Iran and Islam, and if we want to know a true Iranologist, he is undoubtedly Ferdowsi.”

Continuing his speech, while congratulating Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi on Engineer’s Day, Amrollahi stated that Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi has not been given the attention he deserves and emphasized: “I wish our engineers were prominent politicians like Khwaja Nasir; Because he was not only a great mathematician, but also one of the most influential politicians in Iranian history.”

He pointed to a corner of Khajeh Nasir’s scientific activities and said: “In addition to mathematics, he also specialized in astronomy and celestial physics and was an enthusiast of this field. Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi, by establishing the Maragheh Observatory and gathering scientists, was trying to protect scientists from the Mongols.”

Yazd, an alchemy that has emerged from drought

“Seyed Ahmad Mohit Tabatabaei,” the head of the National Committee of Museums of Iran, at the ceremony commemorating Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi and Engineer’s Day, considered Yazd one of the greatest cultural assets of Iran and said: “The greatest asset we face in Yazd is Yazd itself and the knowledge of this land. This knowledge is not limited to architecture, but also includes the Yazdi way of thinking and lifestyle.”

Referring to the importance of Yazd in Iranian history, he added: “Yazd has been able to preserve many authentic Iranian characteristics, especially during the Mongol era, which was a kind of outpost for preserving Iranian culture.”

Yazdi thinking, the secret to the sustainability of this land

Tabatabaei emphasized: “Yazd has been able to create a unique method and ethics that distinguish it from other regions. Traits such as patience, foresight, and resourcefulness are rooted in Yazd society and have transformed this city into a modern city in contemporary history.”

Regarding Yazd’s connection with modernity, he stated: “Yazd became acquainted with modernity through India and the East India Company, but it interpreted and localized this modernity based on its own understanding and needs.”

Tabatabaei also considered the coexistence of religions in Yazd to be one of the characteristics of this city, saying: “Yazd has long been an example of the peaceful coexistence of religions. Like an alchemist, this city has achieved production and prosperity from drought and difficult conditions.”

Understanding Yazd is the way to its progress

The head of the National Committee of Museums of Iran, criticizing the current situation of Yazd, emphasized: “Yazd’s problems today are due to the lack of recognition of the Yazdi identity. If we understand this Yazdi thought, the path of progress of this city will be smoother, because the value of Yazd lies in the continuation of the Yazdi lifestyle.”

Iranian engineering needs to adapt to the country’s ecosystem

While congratulating Engineer’s Day, Tabatabai pointed out the role of engineering in Iran and said, “Iranian engineering has always been important, because science and knowledge must be compatible with the country’s ecosystem. But unfortunately, today this happens less often and we see the result in the shortage of real engineers.”

He noted, “In the past, Yazdis were Iranian engineers without the need for universities. Life in Yazd must continue in all scientific, technological and cultural dimensions. This does not mean remaining in the past, but rather a value that must be preserved.”

Tabatabai concluded by emphasizing, “Iranian studies means knowing everything that is related to Iranian life. Knowing Yazd and its lifestyle is also part of this valuable identity.”

Returning to Material and Spiritual Aqueducts, the Way to Save Iran

In the ceremony commemorating Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi and Engineer's Day, Asghar Dadbeh emphasized the importance of the two aqueducts on which Iran was formed, saying: "Iran has lived on the basis of two aqueducts; one is the material aqueduct on which civilization was built, and the other is the spiritual aqueduct that shaped culture. If we do not return to these two, we will lose our identity."

Culture, the Basis of Human Civilization

Dadbeh, referring to the role of culture in today's world, stated: "Today's world is a civilized one without culture. If culture existed, we would not see so much war and destruction in the world."

He also expressed concern about the diminishing role of caring teachers in society, saying: "In the past, teachers were those who were concerned about society. But today, just as we have distanced ourselves from material aqueducts, we have also distanced ourselves from spiritual aqueducts that build culture."

National Identity Has Its Roots in Language

Dadebeh analyzed two philosophical theories about the origin of things - one is the atomist theory and the other is the theory of matter and form - and stated: "National identity is the same material that Ferdowsi's language sat on and formed the national identity of Iran. Language is not a part of national identity, but rather its entirety."

He continued by reviewing the historical concept of Iranism and said: "No thinker has lived in this land who is unaware of Iran. In different periods, Iranism has changed depending on the circumstances. In the fourth century, freedom of thought and naturalism caused the word "Iran" to be prominent. However, from the fifth century, with the dominance of ideology and introversion, this concept faded. This period is the era of Saadi, in which people's gaze turned from the outside world to their own inner selves."

Iranism in history; From the Samanids to Alamut

Dadbeh, referring to the role of the Samanids in Iranist thought, said: “The Samanid kings had a way of thinking that was also close to the Batenids and Ismailis. They searched for esoteric meanings in appearances, and during this period, Iranian culture flourished. But this process was stopped due to the feeling of danger from Baghdad, and a coup was formed against it.”

He continued: “During the Alamut period, this thinking continued. One of their actions was the cultivation of medicinal plants, which indicates their connection with Iranian nature and knowledge. The establishment of the second movement in Alamut with Hassan Sabah and his companions was an Iranist movement. They were concerned with preserving Iran’s national identity.”

Khwaja Nasir, a symbol of Iranism and the preservation of the Persian language

Dadbeh finally pointed out the role of Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi in preserving Iranian culture, saying: “Khwaja Nasir paid special attention to Iran in all his works. In the space where he worked, Iranism was alive and he worked for the Iranian language and culture.”

At the end of this ceremony, Dariush Poursarajian’s efforts and support were appreciated by donating a map of the “Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi Movement.”

It is worth noting that this program was held with the support and cooperation of the Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture of Yazd Province, the Ministry of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts, the Specialized Committee for Historical and Cultural Tourism of the General Directorate of Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts of Yazd Province, and the Cultural, Social and Sports Organization of Yazd Municipality.

At the end of his speech, referring to the country’s problems, Amrollahi did not consider immigration to be a suitable solution to solve them and said: “We have many problems in the country, but leaving the homeland does not solve any problem. If we want to build Iran, our youth must stay in the country and strive for its progress with effort and perseverance.”

Introducing scientific honors is the duty of the Iranology Society. Mahmoud Jafari Dehghaghi, a professor at the University of Tehran and the head of the Iranology Society, said at the ceremony commemorating Khajeh Nasir al-Din Tusi and Engineer's Day that the goal of Iranology is to introduce the country's concerns to the people and youth, and said: "Iranology should highlight the issues that cause problems in any society and increase public awareness."

History of the formation of the field of Iranology

Referring to the history of Iranology in the country, Jafari Dehghaghi stated: "We established the field of Iranology at the University of Tehran in 2011, while before that, some researchers at the Iranology Foundation had paid attention to this field. This field was initially launched at the master's level, but after a while we realized that its graduates were facing challenges in employment exams. Therefore, we decided to launch the Iranology Society so that graduates could work in this field."

Referring to the administrative difficulties in registering the association, he added: “Administrative bureaucracy was a serious obstacle in the path of establishing the association, but with great effort we were able to register it.”

History of Engineering and Scientific Progress of Iran

The head of the Iranology Association continued his speech by discussing Iran’s scientific history and said: “If we look at the history of engineering in this land, we will see that amazing things have been done that amaze everyone. Iran’s scientific progress throughout history has been such that it has amazed the world.”

Regarding the idea of ​​Iran-city, he stated: “Iranians have always received the sciences of their time and localized them. The effects of this scientific movement are clearly visible in our historical texts, and this trend has continued throughout history and has also been combined with Islamic sciences in the Islamic period.”

Khajeh Nasir; A Genius Who Should Be Introduced to the People

At the end of his speech, Jafari Dehaghy emphasized the introduction of Iran's scientific luminaries and stated: "Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi was a genius who had complete mastery of the sciences of his time. We must introduce such prominent figures to the people, and this is one of the main tasks of the Iranology Society."