Developments in Iranian higher education and their implications for doctoral education

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of major developments in Iran’s higher education system and their implications for doctoral education. In all, four major developments ^__ massification, privatisation, internationalisation, and the coronavirus pandemic ^__ are investigated, and their impact is analysed. The results indicated that, despite continuing turbulence, doctoral education in Iran has continued much as before because the system has limited flexibility in facing new national and international requirements. In view of the latter, it is argued that there is a need for policymakers to consider revising the nature and goals of doctoral education.

KEYWORDS:

• higher education
• doctoral education
• massification
• privatisation
• internationalisation
• coronavirus pandemic

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. In 1985, all MCHE responsibilities in medical education were transferred to the newly established Ministry of Health, Medicine, and Medical Education (MOHME). In 2000, MCHE was renamed the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (MSRT).

2. Enrollment Shabāne (or Nobate Dovvom) students is one of the policies of universities to earn money. Universities usually admit several Shabāne students in addition to the students they admit annually (Rouzāne). Compared to Rouzāne students, there is not much strictness to accept these students, instead, they have to pay tuition fees and universities do not take responsibility for providing them with some amenities such as dormitories. In most cases, Shabāne students sit in the same class as Rouzāne students.

3. Self-governing university campuses (or Pardis) are branches of state-run universities established to enroll students for a fee, just like Rouzaneh and Shabane programs. Currently, almost all state-run universities have self-governing campuses and accept students in various fields at the doctoral level. In recent years, students of most university campuses have been merged with Rouzaneh and study in the main faculties, simultaneously (not in separate faculties).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Reza Hemmati

Reza Hemmati is an associate professor of sociology at the University of Isfahan, Iran. His main research area focuses on higher education studies and sociology of education. He has a couple of publications on these areas. His recent publication is a book chapter about Iran in book: “The Making of Doctoral Supervisors International Case Studies of Practice”. Routledge (2021) Edited by Stan Taylor, Margaret Kiley and Karri A. Holley.