"Expatriates can continue education in Iran"

LONDON, April 23 (IranMania) - The deputy minister of science, research and technology for student affairs said Iranian students residing abroad as well as non-Iranian students can continue their education within the country, IRNA reported.

Talking to IRNA on Saturday, Mahmoud Mollabashi added that cases of such students would be examined in the ministry's Scholarship Council in terms of public and scientific qualifications and physical health as well.

Elaborating on the qualifications required, Mollabashi said there are two categories of students living abroad who want to continue their studies at Iranian universities.

"Children of Iranian officials residing in foreign countries including government and embassy staffs, whose mission has come to an end, can apply for continuing their education at Iranian universities," he said, adding their cases will be referred to the Transfer Council.

He added the council would introduce them to relevant universities according to their field of study.

The official stated that other Iranians studying abroad can also continue their education within the country, if they succeed in being admitted to one of Iranian universities.

Mollabashi noted such students should pay tuition for their courses.

"The simplest way for Iranian expatriates to enter Iranian academic centers is through Payam-e Nour University and the University of Applied Science and Technology," he said, adding other universities can also admit such students based on their scientific background, research activities and universal ranking of their previous universities.

Mollabashi said such a plan is presently restricted to ndergraduate students, adding scientific relations with foreign universities in holding Ph.D. courses and educational workshops have had an uprising trend.

Asked whether facilities would be provided for non-Iranian students, he said the Student Welfare Fund is currently planning to offer loans to such students.

Explaining about scholarships for the current Iranian year (started March 21), the deputy minister said foreign and domestic long-term scholarships would be provided for Ph.D. candidates.

The most important condition for granting scholarships, he noted, is that applicants should undertake to work for an organization or the Science Ministry after the completion of their studies.

Mollabashi highlighted the importance of 6-month scholarships, saying 600 students will be sent abroad during the current Iranian year.

He further said another 150 qualified students would be offered long-term scholarships this year.