An Arts et Métiers delegation Arts et Métiers Iran last December as part of a meeting between the ministries of both countries.
Increasing the attractiveness of French higher education and strengthening cooperation between institutions were the objectives of the visit to Iran by Thierry Mandon, Secretary of State for Higher Education and Research, from December 11 to 13. This meeting between the ministries of the two countries brought together some 30 representatives from French higher education and research institutions and more than 40 representatives from Iranian universities. Arts et Métiers represented by Laurent Champaney, Deputy CEO for Training, Audrey Stewart, Director of European and International Strategy, Ali Siadat and Abbas Tcharkhtchi, professors.
Since the Vienna nuclear agreement of July 2015, ties between French and Iranian higher education institutions have grown stronger. However, despite the embargo, Arts et Métiers always maintained close relations and collaboration with Iranian universities, thanks in particular to professors Ali Siadat and Abbas Tcharkhtchi.
This visit was an opportunity for representatives fromArts et Métiers :
- Consolidate existing partnerships and expand collaborations with other science and technology universities.
Five partnership agreements were signed in the presence of Thierry Mandon: the renewal of the framework agreement and the extension of dual master's degree programs with the University of Tehran and Iran University of Science & Technology (IUST), as well as three new agreements with Amir Kabir University, Shariff University, and Guilan University.
- Strengthen academic exchanges for students at the master's and doctoral levels. Nine years ago, Arts et Métiers up a joint master's degree in industrial engineering with the University of Tehran, followed by a joint master's degree in materials and processes with the IUST in Tehran in 2015. Another dual master's degree agreement in biomechanics was established in 2016 with the University of Tehran. In 2016, Arts et Métiers 16 Iranian master's students, and three students are currently pursuing doctoral degrees. These joint programs are currently the only ones active in engineering sciences between France and Iran.
- Meet with French companies operating in Iran, gather information on their needs, and consider programs for training engineers and senior technicians in the country (Bell, Orange, Renault, Total, etc.).
The prospects for collaboration with Iran appear promising in terms of research partnerships and the development of initial and continuing training in the coming years.
Higher education in Iran*
- The number of students in higher education has tripled since 2002.
- 4.8 million students in 2014 for a population of 79 million
- One in three students in engineering sciences
- 50,000 Iranian students have studied abroad since 2011, mainly in English-speaking countries.
- 70,000 teacher-researchers (+65% in 10 years)
- + 2,000 higher education institutions
*Campus France report 2016
