For the second consecutive year, Iran ranked second with 87 universities included in the D-8 group universities in 2023. D-8, also known as Developing-8, is an organization for development cooperation among eight Islamic nations, namely Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Turkey.

Turkey with 178, Pakistan with 61, and Indonesia with 58, Malaysia with 43 universities ranked first, third, fourth, and fifth, respectively.

Egypt (42), Bangladesh (32), and Nigeria (18) were placed sixth to eighth.

“To rank the universities of the D-8 group, information about 1,700 organizations of the members in the InCites database from 2019 to 2021 has been analyzed,” IRNA quoted Ahmad Fazelzadeh, head of the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Database, as saying.

“The universities that had issued more than 150 documents within this time frame constituted the target population of D8 ranking. The number of universities that met these conditions was 519 universities that appeared in the 2023 ranking,” he added.

The most important criteria for evaluating the performance of D-8 group universities include research, innovation, education, and international activities.

Cairo University, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and University of Malaya were placed first to third among 519 universities included in the ranking.

University of Tehran, and Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modarres University, and Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences were placed second and fifth in the country.

Recent rankings

Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings (ISR) placed 29 Iranian universities among top institutions worldwide for interdisciplinary science research.

ISR is a project launched in association with Schmidt Science Fellows; it ranked a total of 749 universities from 92 countries.

University of Tehran with a global ranking of 77 was placed first in the country.

Shiraz University (ranked 132 globally) Razi University (174), Ferdowsi University of Mashhad (187), University of Tabriz (201-250) ranked second to fifth, respectively.

Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, and Urmia University were ranked joint sixth with a global ranking of 251-300.

The Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) Asia University Rankings placed 32 Iranian universities in the list of top universities in 2025, compared to 31 universities in 2024.

Published annually since 2009, the QS Asia University Rankings highlight the top universities in Asia each year.

University of Tehran (with a global ranking of 87) is placed first among Iranian universities, followed by Sharif University of Technology (ranking 97 globally) and Amirkabir University of Technology (ranking 114 globally), Mehr news agency reported.

Isfahan University of Technology, Shiraz University, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, University of Tabriz, Shahid Beheshti University, and University of Isfahan are ranked fourth to tenth, respectively.

The Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 placed 85 Iranian universities among the top institutions compared to 75 universities in 2024.

The 2025 rankings include 2,092 ranked universities from 115 countries. There are 185 new entries compared with last year.

Sharif University of Technology ranked first in the country with a global ranking of 301-350.

Amirkabir University of Technology, and Iran University of Science and Technology (ranking globally 351 –400) were placed second.

Kermanshah University of Medical Science, and University of Tehran were placed third with a global ranking of 401- 500.

Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Shiraz University of Technology, and Tehran University of Technology were ranked joint fourth, they ranked 601-800, globally.

A total of 100 universities from Iran were ranked by EduRank based on research outputs, non-academic prominence, and alumni influence.

The rankings were determined by analyzing 14.9 m citations received by 1.26 m academic publications made by 310 universities from Iran, the popularity of 867 recognized alumni, and the largest reference database available.

This year, 14131 universities from 183 countries were ranked across 246 topics.

According to the report University of Tehran, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and Sharif University of Technology were the best universities in the country, IRIB reported.

The Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities, also known as the National Taiwan University (NTU) Rankings, placed 21 Iranian institutions among the top 1,200 universities worldwide, compared to 18 universities in 2023.

University of Tehran won the best ranking among Iranian institutions, ranking 291 globally.

University of Tehran ranked 30 in chemical engineering as well as energy science and engineering, 34 in mechanical engineering, and 73 in agriculture.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences (with a global ranking of 359), Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences (491), Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (540), and Tarbiat Modarres University (577) were placed second to fifth, respectively.

Tehran University of Medical Science’s best ranking globally was 22 in pharmacology and toxicology.

Moreover, Khajeh Nasir Toosi University of Technology and Yasouj University were among the top 1200 institutions in the world based on full-time academic staff.

The 2024-2025 edition of Best Global Universities rankings included 69 Iranian universities, up from 52 in 2023, among the world’s 2,250 top universities.

University of Tehran (with a global ranking of 275), Islamic Azad University (374), Sharif University of Technology and Tehran University of Medical Sciences (516), University of Tabriz (521), and Amirkabir University of Technology (649) ranked first to fifth in the country, respectively.

Shanghai ranking 2024 placed nine Iranian universities among the top 1,000 institutions worldwide.

Tehran University of Medical Sciences and University of Tehran, which were among the top 500 universities in the world with a rank of 401–500, were placed top in the country.
Tarbiat Modares University (601–700) was placed second.

Iran University of Medical Sciences, Shahid Beheshti of Medical Sciences, and Sharif University of Technology with a ranking of 701-800, shared the third rank in the country.

Amirkabir University of Technology, Iran University of Science and Technology, and University of Tabriz (901 –1000) were ranked joint fourth. /T.T/

Iran has successfully tested the spin subsystem of the Saman-1 space tug that was put into orbit two days ago. The successful test was carried out using solid-fuel engines, the Iranian Space Agency (ISA) said on Sunday, adding that the performance of the safety and armament systems have also been examined and confirmed to be operational.

Saman-1 is an indigenously designed and built space tug, which is among the key space achievements of Iran.

On Friday (December 6), the ISA reported that it had successfully established a two-way communication line with Saman-1 to begin testing the domestically developed space tug.

Earlier that day, Iran launched Saman-1, along with a CubeSat and a research payload, into space aboard a homegrown satellite launch vehicle (SLV).

In a related development, the public relations office of the Iranian Army reported on Friday that the successful injection of Fakhr-1 and Saman-1 space tugs with a total weight of 300 kg set a new record for the country in terms of lifting payloads. /MNA/

 

Iran won the title of the 2024 Asia Pacific Deaf Games for the first time. The Iranian delegation dominated the medal count with 95 golds and 61 total medals.

South Korea are second in both golds (21) and total medals (47), with China coming third in both categories (19 golds, 36 total medals).

The tournament, which is seen as a precursor to the Deaflympics in Japan next year, was held from Dec. 1 to 8 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Asia Pacific Deaf Games is a deaf multi-sport event established in 1984 which is held every four years in the Asia Pacific region. It is the successor to the “Far Eastern Deaf Football Championship” which was held in Taipei in 1983.

Two Iranian female students won silver medals at the World Mathematics Team Championship (WMTC) 2024, held in Doha, Qatar, from November 27 to December 2.

Showcasing their mathematical skills and competing against young mathematicians at the intermediate level, Parnian Heidarian and Helena Aqaei also grabbed team awards, IRNA reported.

The event brought together students from 60 countries including Saudi Arabia, India, Bangladesh, Azerbaijan, China, Hong Kong, Iran, Philippines, Taiwan, South Korea, Macau, Canada, Bulgaria, Brazil, and Australia.

The three-day event was organized under the theme “Algebra and Balancing”. The event drew young mathematicians from across the globe, challenging them to solve complex problems through individual, relay, and team-based rounds while fostering international camaraderie and collaboration.

It emphasized principles of balance and fairness among nations, blending collaboration and competition in an educational environment that fosters both challenge and learning while strengthening cultural connections among participants.

At the 30th International Mathematics Competition (IMC) held in Bulgaria from July 31 to August 6, 2023, Iranian students ranked 9th.

Ali Mirzaee-Anari, Amir-Mohammad Qavi, Javad Farrokhnejad, and Mohammad Shahverdi Kondori won gold medals, while Mehdi Shavoli Kohshor won a silver medal. Also, Nima Amouei Mobaraki was granted a diploma of honor.

The event was organized by University College London, and hosted by American University in Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria. /T.T/

Iran’s largest gold mine has revised up its proven reserves with authorities hoping it would lead to a major increase in output and would significantly boost jobs in northwestern Iran where it is located.

Caretaking CEO of Zarshouran mining company Mohammad Parvin said on Saturday that the proven gold ore deposits in the mine had increased from 27 million metric tons (mt) to 43 million mt based on the results of recent exploration activities.

Parvin said the increase raises the extractable gold resources in the mine to 116 mt, adding that this means the mine’s life will also increase from 25 years to 65 years.

He said the development will lead to more investment and jobs in Iran’s West Azarbaijan province and its surrounding regions.

Zarshouran is owned by Iran’s state-run metals and mining company IMIDRO. It is the largest gold mine in the West Asia region and is the largest producer of gold bars in Iran with a monthly output of nearly 100 kilograms or more than 1 mt per year.

IMIDRO launched a modern tailings dam at Zarshouran in February last year to store byproducts of mining operations in the area amid criticism that the mine and its operations were damaging the environment.

Iran has sought to expand its mining and metals sector in recent years amid sanctions that have affected the country’s crude oil exports.

MNA/

Day four at the World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Hong Kong, China was another in which success was widely shared, as five Member National Associations (MNAs) won gold medals including firsts for Iran and Spain.

Iran were able to claim three gold medals on the fourth day of competition at the Hong Kong Coliseum.

After four silvers and a bronze throughout his career, Hadi Torkashvand reached the top of the podium in the Recognized Poomsae Male Over 65 event, providing a memorable moment from this edition of the World Championships.

Nader Khodamoradi defended his title from Goyang 2022 in the Male Under 65, and a victory in the Pair Junior category Amiali Alizadeh and Zeynab Shahriari added to an impressive day for Iran.

The Male Teams Under 50 and 30 also won two bronze medals in the competition. /T.T/

The data of the World Steel Association (WSA) shows that Iran was the 10th largest steel producer in the worldwide in October 2024, trailing Brazil with 3.1 million tons of output.

Iran’s steel production fell slightly in October compared to the same month last year, according to the World Steel Association (worldsteel) figures.

The figures cited in a Sunday report by the Fars news agency showed that Iran had produced 3.00 million metric tons (mt) of steel in October, down 1.9% from the same month last year.

The figures showed that Iran’s steel output had accounted for 60% of the total production in the West Asia region in October when regional output rose 5.4% year on year to 5 million mt.

World steel data showed that Iran was the 10th largest steel producer in the world in October, trailing Brazil with 3.1 million mt of output.

They showed that steel production in Iran had reached a total of 25 million mt in the 10 months to October, up 0.6% from the same previous period.

That comes as regional output also rose 1.3% year on year in January-October to reach 44.1 million mt, the figures showed.

Global output reached 151.2 million mt, up 0.4% from October 2023, while total output in the 10 months to October reached 1,546.6 million mt, down 1.6% from the same previous period, showed the figures.

Recent reports have pointed to a rebound in steel production in Iran with an easing of energy supply restrictions imposed on the industry in the summer months.

The Iranian Steel Producers Association (ISPA) said in a report last month that the steel output in the country had dropped by as much as 10% in some production categories in the six months to late September mainly because of power cuts ordered over the summer. /MNA/

Iran plans to launch a new satellite using a Russian Soyuz rocket by the end of the next Persian year (March 20, 2026), which will be capable of imaging and providing Internet of Things (IoT) services, the CEO of Omidfaza said.

In an interview with Mehr News Agency (MNA) on Monday, Hossein Shahrabi, the CEO of Omidfaza, an Iranian knowledge-based company, discussed the collaboration with Russia on launching the Kowsar and Hodhod satellites, indicating that this partnership would continue with plans for another launch soon using the Russian Soyuz rocket.

Shahrabi provided additional details about the upcoming satellite launch and its specifications, stating, “This satellite is essentially an optimized version of the Kowsar and Hodhod satellites, which will be launched in 2025 in cooperation with Russia.”

He mentioned that two satellites, Kowsar and Hodhod, which serve telecommunications and imaging purposes, were recently launched into space, adding that the new satellite is a combination of these two, meaning it will both perform imaging work and provide services related to the Internet of Things.

He emphasized that the advantage of using satellites for IoT services lies in their integrity, independence from borders, and global coverage, enabling them to serve remote, forested, and mountainous regions effectively. /MNA/

 

Iran is among the world’s top four countries in producing aircraft refuelers, an official familiar with the matter told IRIB. Navid Salimi said refuelers are the vehicles used for transporting and distributing liquid fuel to aircraft at airports and are currently manufactured based on certain international standards.

The number of manufacturers of these vehicles is less than five companies worldwide because the manufacturing of these vehicles requires high technology, Salimi said. /T.T/

Isfahan University of Technology, representing Iran, won the gold medal at the second International Nanotechnology Olympiad (INO 2024), which was held from October 17 to 18 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The Iranian team competed with participants from Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Malaysia.

Hamid-Reza Qorbani, Ph.D. student of metallurgy engineering; and Nima Dehqan, B.S student of metallurgy engineering, proposed a project named ‘Using sunlight to produce clean hydrogen fuel’, IRNA reported.

This year, the presented projects focused on global challenges facing nanotechnology applications in the development and production of new (alternative) energies including hydrogen fuel, wind energy, solar energy, nuclear energy, tidal energy, geothermal energy, and biomass energy.

The INO aims to provide a platform for young innovators and researchers to showcase their talents, collaborate with global experts, and address some of the world’s most pressing environmental and technological challenges.

The promotion of scientific and technological interactions with related organizations in Malaysia is the most important peripheral goal of the event, IRNA quoted Afshin Ramzi, head of the Iranian team, as saying.

The third INO is set to take place in Taiwan in 2026.

In 2018, the first INO was held from April 10 to 15 at Tehran’s Pardis Technology Park and nine teams from four foreign countries competed at the event.

The participants presented their solutions for the global challenges related to water and wastewater treatment, agriculture, food and packaging, alternative energies, drugs and medication, information and communication through nanotechnology.

Iranian students’ achievements

Students of Iran University of Science and Technology have managed to win first place in Eurasia Federation of International RoboSports Association (FIRA) Open competition 2024.

The competition was held from November 6 to 9 in Van, Turkey, bringing together 130 teams from eight countries.

The Iranian team comprised Alireza Abbasi, Mobina Lashgari, Alireza Mikaeili, and Shayan Ansarian. They ranked first in innovation and entrepreneurship, for designing ‘infrasight drones’.

Iran grabbed five gold medals and two special awards in the International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF) 2024, which was held in Indonesia from November 5 to 10.

A total of 18 students from Iran attended the 47th WorldSkills Competition, winning 9 medals including a silver medal and medallions for excellence.

The competition was held from September 10 to 15 in Lyon, France. Some 1,500 competitors from more than 65 countries and regions around the world gathered in Lyon to compete in different skills.
Hasan Mohammadi and Hamid-Reza Hamidi won the silver medal, IRIB reported

Iran grabbed a gold medal, two silver medals, and a bronze medal at the 36th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), ranking 9th among 96 countries.

Hosted in Alexandria, Egypt, the event started on September 1 and concluded on September 8, IRNA reported.

Each participating country selected a team of up to four contestants to represent their nation.

The team competed in a two-day competition. Each contestant competed individually to maximize their score by solving three algorithmic problems within five hours.

Iranian students attended the event online and ranked ninth globally.

In a remarkable achievement, Iranian students won five gold medals, ranking first in the 17th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics (IOAA) which was held from August 17 to 27 in Vassouras, state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. / T.T/