The first workshop to familiarize with the evaluation indicators of the country's medical sciences educational and research institutions to attract international students was held

With the efforts of the Supreme Council for Medical Sciences Planning of the Ministry of Health, the first workshop "Introduction to the Evaluation Indicators of the Country's Educational Institutions in the Field of Attracting International Students" was held at Qalb Hotel in Tehran. Some representatives from Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences including Dr Aghdas Dehghani, the Dean of the International Campus, Dr Kolsum Qasemi and Ms. Madani from the International Affairs Office were present at this workshop.

 

According to the Public Relations Department of the Ministry of Health's Education Office, this workshop, attended by the vice presidents of education and international affairs of the country's medical universities, members of the National Commission for the Development, Evaluation and Accreditation of International Medical Education, and a group of relevant experts and managers, provided an opportunity to explain the new structure of international education and review the approved indicators.

 

Dr. Nouhi, while welcoming the guests, said: "Foreign students studying in our universities are not only scientific representatives, but also represent the image and model of our university and country at the international level in social and cultural dimensions."

 

He added: “These students are guests of the country, and it is necessary for universities to organize their behavior and services in a responsible manner in a way that provides them with a positive and effective experience.”

 

According to Dr. Nouhi, an important part of success in the international field lies with universities, and past experiences can be a guide in improving quality and gaining international trust.

 

A long gap with the national goals in attracting foreign students

 

Furthermore, Dr. Mohammad Reza Sabri, Advisor to the Deputy Education Officer and Secretary of the Supreme Council for Medical Sciences Planning of the Ministry of Health, referring to the new structure of international education in the country's medical universities, said: With the resolution of Esfand 1403, the National Commission for the Development, Evaluation, and Accreditation of International Education was formed, under which four specialized committees operate, including policymaking, licensing, evaluation, and growth of international exchanges.

 

Stating that the evaluation indicators for educational institutions were announced by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in 1401, he continued: "Unfortunately, sufficient attention has not been paid to these indicators so far, and our goal is to develop a specific operational framework with the participation of universities and begin the evaluations in the beginning of the fall."

 

Referring to the existing statistics, Dr. Sabri said: "Currently, about 14,000 international students are studying in the country's medical universities, while based on upstream documents, we should reach 320,000 international students in the country by 1407, with the Ministry of Health's share estimated at about 100,000."

 

The deputy chairman of the National Commission for International Development, Evaluation and Accreditation emphasized: "To achieve this goal, universities must act more seriously both in terms of improving the quality of education and research and in the cultural and welfare areas of international students."

 

Review of indicators in the form of specialized working groups

 

At the end of this workshop, the evaluation indicators were discussed and reviewed in the form of regional working groups and it was decided to announce the final version after summing up the opinions of the universities. These indicators include criteria such as educational, research indicators, administrative and welfare components, international components and cultural and educational components.

Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences has been one the successful universities in attracting foreign students and hopes this process continues well in the future. This university’s aim is to meet a remarkable level of these indicators and use its potentials to make it happen!