Some 34 Iranian universities and institutions were listed among the top 1,000 in the world, according to Shanghai Ranking’s Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2021.

Starting from 2003, ARWU has been presenting the world’s top universities annually based on a set of objective indicators and third-party data. ARWU has been recognized as the precursor of global university rankings and the most trustworthy league table.

The Shanghai ranks the universities in 54 scientific fields (eight fields in natural sciences, four fields in life sciences, 22 fields in engineering, six fields in medical sciences, and 14 fields in social sciences) based on 5 indicators (Number of publications in the first quarter of journals, normalized citation impact, global collaboration; co-authorship, quality publications; published in top journals and conferences, and institute awards).

Shanghai Ranking is a fully independent organization dedicating to research on higher education intelligence and consultation, which has been the official publisher of the Academic Ranking of World Universities since 2009.

In its latest edition in 2021, there are 34 Iranian institutions, which have been mentioned 163 times in the list of top institutions in different fields.

University of Tehran 21 times, Islamic Azad University 17 times, Tarbiat Modares University 13 times, Amirkabir and Sharif University of Technology 12 times, and the Isfahan University of Technology 10 times were listed in 54 scientific fields.

In total, Iranian institutes have been able to gain a global position in 32 scientific fields.

The Shanghai rankings 2020 show the top 1,000 universities in the world, with Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology first to second, respectively.

Performance in 2021

Most recently, thirty-six Iranian universities have been listed among more than 1,000 major universities worldwide, according to the Center for Science and Technology Studies Leiden Ranking for 2021.

The 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings has listed 27 Iranian universities among the 1,115 most effective institutions worldwide.

Six Iranian universities have been placed among the world’s top universities announced by the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021.

Times Higher Education also has published its annual ranking of the world’s top universities for 2021, listing 47 Iranian universities, which shows an increase of 7 universities compared to the last year.

With 47 Iranian universities ranked among 1,527 top universities of 93 countries in the world in 2021 rankings, Iran achieved a great improvement in the academic field.

Some 21 Islamic countries were also listed in the ranking. However, Iran holds the highest share with 47 universities.

With a scientific growth rate of 10.4 percent in 2019, Iran ranked second among the top 25 countries in the world, next to China with a growth rate of 12.9 percent, according to the Web of Science website.

According to statistics released by the International Web of Science Database, Iran’s citation rank has always been on the rise over the last eight years, from 24 in 2012 to 16 in 2019. /T.T/

A total of 57,000 foreign students are studying in Iran, which can be increased to 90,000 considering the capacity of universities, Farid Rahimi, head of the non-Iranian students’ affairs at the Ministry of Science has stated.

According to the Sixth Five-Year National Development Plan (2016-2021), Iranian universities are projected to attract about 75,000 foreign students, IRNA reported on Saturday.

The universities have the capacity to admit up to 90,000 foreign students, however, it requires the creation of appropriate educational infrastructure, the expansion of diplomacy, appropriate publicity, and so on, Rahimi explained.

Currently, foreign nationals constitute 1.64 percent of the country’s student population.

According to the 20-Year National Vision Document (ending 2025), foreign students should account for 1.8 percent of the whole student population, which is likely to even reach 2 percent, Afshin Akhoundzadeh, an official at the Organization of Student Affairs, said.

“Some 57,675 foreign nationals from 133 countries are studying in Iranian universities, 30,600 of whom are studying in universities affiliated with the Ministry of Science, while 25,000 others are receiving education in Azad University, and about 2,000 in medical universities.”

Fifty-seven percent of the international students are studying for a master’s degree, 27 percent for a bachelor’s degree and 15 percent are educating to receive a Ph.D., while the remaining one percent study at other levels.

Law, Persian literature and computer engineering are the top three fields of study for foreign students in Iran, while civil engineering, business management, political science, English language and literature, Quran and hadith sciences, international relations, and electrical engineering, and other majors with the highest number of non-Iranian students.

In 2013, 35 centers were allowed to admit foreign students, which has increased to 77 in 2021.

Iranian universities shine at global rankings 2021

Most recently, thirty-six Iranian universities have been listed among more than 1,000 major universities worldwide, according to the Center for Science and Technology Studies Leiden Ranking for 2021.

The 2021 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings has listed 27 Iranian universities among the 1,115 most effective institutions worldwide.

Six Iranian universities have been placed among the world’s top universities announced by the prestigious Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings 2021.

Times Higher Education also has published its annual ranking of the world’s top universities for 2021, listing 47 Iranian universities, which shows an increase of 7 universities compared to the last year.

With 47 Iranian universities ranked among 1,527 top universities of 93 countries in the world in 2021 rankings, Iran achieved a great improvement in the academic field.

Some 21 Islamic countries were also listed in the ranking. However, Iran holds the highest share with 47 universities.

With a scientific growth rate of 10.4 percent in 2019, Iran ranked second among the top 25 countries in the world, next to China with a growth rate of 12.9 percent, according to the Web of Science website.

According to statistics released by the International Web of Science Database, Iran’s citation rank has always been on the rise over the last eight years, from 24 in 2012 to 16 in 2019. /T.T/

Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) has purchased the rights for the Iranian broadcast of the Chinese 2016 TV series, “The Imperial Doctress”.

The first part of the 50-episode series directed by Lee Kwok Lap was broadcast from IRIB’s Channel 5 on Saturday.

Starring Cecilia Liu, Zhang Zimu, Wallace Huo, Lou Yunhao, Huang Xuan and Wu Ze Jin Xi, the historical drama is based on the story of Tan Yunxian, a female physician during the Ming dynasty in China during the rule of Emperor Yingzong.

Tan Yunxian came from a long line of medical practitioners, her family having served as court physicians for several generations.

However, the practice for female physicians came to a halt when many were framed for abusing the form.

Still Yunxian was determined to learn medicine so she did so in secrecy. With her enthusiasm and persistence, Yunxian overcame many difficulties and rose through the ranks to become the most famous female doctor of the Ming Dynasty.

Along the way, she met and fell in love with Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu, two royal siblings with opposite personalities who entered into a rivalry for the throne.

The series aired every day on Jiangsu TV and Dragon TV, from 13 February to 9 March 2016.

The titular character in the drama series, Tan Yunxian, is a real-life historical figure who came from a renowned medical family.

She was one of the few female doctors that were known to exist in history. Before her death, she published a book titled “Sayings of a Female Doctor”, which was passed down through the generations.

However, the romance depicted in the drama between Tan Yunxian and the two Emperors is strictly fictional.

In reality, Tan Yunxian did not exist in the same time period as Zhu Qizhen and Zhu Qiyu, and naturally would not have been able to work at the Zhengtong Emperor’s Palace.

The character in the story is actually a combination of Tan Yunxian and the historical Empress Hang.

During the writing of the drama, screenwriter Zhang Wei consulted professional Chinese physicians regarding medical terminology and prescription use.

Lead actress Cecilia Liu reportedly took lessons with a traditional physician to learn the basics of Chinese medicine and treatment such as acupuncture, taking pulse and massage techniques in preparation for the role.

The series received positive feedback from the audience and topped Baidu’s charts of the most popular TV dramas in China.

It gained attention for its exquisite costumes, a showcase of traditional Chinese medicine and the performances of its leads. The series was also noted for featuring a well-respected female figure in China history. /T.T/

Secretary general of Iran’s National Olympic Committee (NOC) Keykavous Saeidi says that Ehsan Hadadi has no problem taking part at the 2020 Olympic Games.

The media reports had suggested that the discus thrower would likely miss the Olympics due to the spinal injury. Hadadi has returned from the U.S. to get treatment in Tehran.

Now, the top official of Iran’s NOC says that Hadadi will participate at the Games.

“Based on what the Iran’s Athletic Federation has said, Hadadi is doing physiotherapy and it depends to his ability to participate at the Olympic Games. He has already secured his spot and will partake in the Games if he is completely ready,” Saeid said.

Saeidi also said the Iran’s flagbearer will be introduced the next week.

“All of Iranian athletes have been vaccinated for the Games. The Iranian delegation gets prepared according to the plan for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games,” he stated.

Iran has so far secured 63 quota places for the 2020 Olympic Games. /T.T/

Iranian director Majid Majidi’s latest movie “Sun Children” has been selected to be showcased in the CineMasters Competition of the Munich International Film Festival – Filmfest Munchen in Germany.

The event is the largest summer film festival in Germany and second only in size and importance to the Berlinale.

CineMasters Competition features the new works of master directors from all over the world.

Ten other films, including “The Dog Who Wouldn’t Be Quiet” by Ana Katz, “Riders of Justice” by Anders Thomas Jensen and “Wife of a Spy” by Kiyoshi Kurosawa, will be screened in this section.

The child labor drama “Sun Children” was among the 15 movies selected for the foreign-language film category longlist at the 93rd Academy Awards. However, it failed to receive a nomination at the Oscar race.

The film is about 12-year-old Ali and his three friends. Together, they work hard to survive and support their families, doing small jobs in a garage and committing petty crimes to make fast money. Everything changes, however, when Ali is entrusted to find a hidden treasure underground but must first enroll at the Sun School, a charitable institution that tries to educate street kids and child laborers.

The movie had its Iranian premiere during the 38th Fajr Film Festival in Tehran in February 2020, garnering the Crystal Simorghs for best film, script and set design.

Numerous international events, including the 77th Venice Film Festival, have also screened the movie. The festival honored the film’s star Ruhollah Zamani with the Marcello Mastroianni Award.

The 33rd International Film Festival for Children and Youth in Isfahan also awarded Majidi as best director and Zamani as best actor.

Strand Releasing, a leading U.S. distributor of foreign language, American independent and documentary films in theaters, on DVD/Blu-Ray and via video-on-demand, has purchased U.S. rights to “Sun Children”. /T.T/

To introduce its capabilities for exports of technological products, Iran inaugurates an Innovation & Technology House.

Located at the place of Tehran International Exhibition Center, the Innovation & Technology House will showcase “high-tech products”, “manufacturing capabilities to foreign visitors” and “knowledge-based and creative products”.

The inaugurated house is established in an area of 3,500 square meters and to introduce more than 800 products of above 300 Iranian knowledge-based companies.

The house will also host specialized face-to-face meetings with foreign delegations and centers for conducting export brokerage affairs.

It includes 12 specialized technological sections including machinery, transportation, electricity and electronics, agriculture, advanced materials, metal industries, medical equipment, medicine, health, creative industries, software and applications, games, animation, and handicrafts. /MNA/