Zahedan University of Medical Sciences

Report from: Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, International Affairs Office

Published on: February 6, 2025

The fourth session of the University Internationalization Council took place on February 5, 2025, attended by Chancellor Dr. Mohammadi, the Advisor to the Chancellor for International Affairs, vice chancellors, and various university directors. The primary agenda of the meeting centered on the admission process for international students, addressing the associated challenges and potential solutions.

At the outset of the meeting, Dr. Tabatabaei, the Advisor to the Chancellor for International Affairs, delivered a report regarding the initiatives aimed at attracting international students. He underscored that the principle of internationalization at home, applicable across various sectors of the university, is a cornerstone of the institution's internationalization strategy. He urged the vice chancellors to prioritize the formulation of an operational plan for university internationalization, with an emphasis on capacity building and enhancing infrastructure within their respective domains.

Moreover, he noted that, with the recent acquisition of a license for the admission of international students, the second group of international students has now been enrolled. Presently, the university hosts a total of 48 international students. The programs that have been organized for these students thus far include an Induction Meeting and an orientation session designed to acquaint them with educational, welfare, disciplinary, consular, and visa regulations. Additionally, an Inauguration Ceremony, a Campus Tour, a City Tour, and the establishment of a Consular Affairs Unit to manage students' consular issues have been successfully implemented.

He additionally requested an end-of-semester survey from both faculty and students to assess the quality of education and to improve educational standards based on the feedback obtained. He underscored the necessity for ongoing monitoring and strategic planning to enhance the university’s ranking on both national and international scales by effectively updating faculty websites. Furthermore, he stressed the significance of fostering cultural dialogue to tackle existing cultural challenges faced by Iranian and international students through well-structured and managed joint cultural initiatives.

Following this, Dr. Atash Panjeh, the Director of Educational Affairs, the Vice Chancellery for Education, delivered a report concerning the educational experiences of international students. He identified the scarcity of English-proficient human resources and the inadequate internet access for conducting and participating in online workshops as significant obstacles.

Subsequently, Dr. Abbasi, the Vice Chancellor for Student and Cultural Affairs, presented a report on student welfare services, which encompassed meals, sports, mental health, dormitory management, and insurance. He emphasized the renovation and upgrading of on-campus dormitories to better serve international students, adjustments to the dining menu to cater for international students’ preferences, , participation in university cultural and religious events, and the implementation of mental health workshops as key initiatives undertaken in this area.

Dr. Sheikhzadeh subsequently highlighted the forthcoming visit of a Pakistani delegation to the province scheduled for next month. He proposed several initiatives, including the establishment of a dedicated platform for ongoing information exchange, the potential for reciprocal joint visits to programs in border towns, and the organization of regular meetings on a seasonal, biannual, or annual basis. He also suggested facilitating the acquisition of essential equipment for both parties, such as RDT kits and sprayers, and the possibility of intervention in areas like spraying and vaccination when necessary. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of sharing research findings and data, discussing the population dynamics of Arbaeen pilgrims due to the heightened risk of disease outbreaks, and planning collaborative campaigns for vaccination, spraying, and other health initiatives.

At the end of the meeting, Dr. Mohammadi underscored the necessity for active engagement from all vice chancellors, urging them to provide updates on their progress in future Internationalization Council meetings. He also highlighted the importance of capacity building at all levels, including faculty, staff, and service personnel. He recommended recruiting faculty members with strong English language skills, optimizing the use of existing university personnel proficient in English rather than hiring new staff, and finalizing the academic calendar promptly under the guidance of the vice chancellor for Education. Furthermore, he stressed that international students should receive services similar to national students to mitigate challenges and sensitivities, advocated for the optimal use of the university’s current facilities and technologies, and called for formal communication with the Ministry of Health regarding issues that cannot be resolved within the university.

Copyright © 2025 Zahedan University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved. Last updated on: February 5, 2025.

For any inquiries, please feel free to reach out to us at: internationaloffice@zaums.ac.ir.