Yazd University has received official approval from the Deputy Ministry for Education of Iran's Ministry of Science, Research and Technology (MSRT) to establish a Center for Educational Development and Excellence, marking a significant step toward enhancing the quality, innovation, and effectiveness of higher education.
According to the Public Relations Office of Yazd University, Dr. Vahid Aboutalebi, Vice President for Education and Graduate Studies, announced that the approval was granted after the university expressed its readiness to establish the center and in recognition of its strong record in educational quality enhancement, including the development and implementation of a comprehensive educational quality improvement plan. The proposal was reviewed and approved by the Ministry's Council for Educational Development and Excellence.
Dr. Aboutalebi explained that, in its initial phase, the Center for Educational Development and Excellence will be established at selected universities across the country under the supervision of each institution's Vice Presidency for Education. The centers are intended to improve the quality and efficiency of educational processes, strengthen faculty members' professional competencies, promote educational innovation, and enhance teaching and learning systems.
He noted that one of the center's primary objectives is to empower academic staff through professional development programs, specialized workshops, and the promotion of innovative teaching methodologies. A key priority will be shifting the educational approach from teacher-centered instruction to learner-centered education, emphasizing students' active participation in the learning process.
The center will also focus on responding to the evolving needs of society and the labor market by reviewing and updating academic curricula, fostering a culture of lifelong learning among faculty members and students, and strengthening the connection between university education and societal needs through skills-based education and real-world problem solving.
Referring to the Ministry's broader policies for transforming higher education, Dr. Aboutalebi emphasized that the new centers will utilize emerging educational technologies, including artificial intelligence, alongside innovative educational approaches to improve teaching quality and contribute to the development of human capital.
He concluded by stating that Yazd University will draw upon its academic expertise and educational capabilities to successfully implement the center's mission and continue advancing the quality of higher education.