Mohammad Ali Rabani, the Director General of Scientific and University Cooperation at the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization, discussed the challenges and strategic requirements for attracting international students at a joint meeting of cultural attachés of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Africa with the managers of the Student Affairs Organization. He highlighted the importance of attracting students and training human resources as the main mission of institutions abroad, pointing out the existing problems in this area.
Challenges in Attracting International Students
Rabani stated that one of the major problems is the lack of understanding and accurate representation of the realities on the ground in target countries. The general perception is that a one-size-fits-all approach can be applied to various regions such as the subcontinent, Africa, and Southeast Asia, whereas the needs and conditions of these areas are significantly different.
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To address these issues, he suggested forming a joint strategic committee between the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization and the Student Affairs Organization. This committee should examine common issues and suitable solutions.
Introducing Academic Capacities
The Director General of Scientific and University Cooperation also pointed to the weakness in the comprehensive and balanced introduction of the internal capacities of the country's universities. He said, "Unfortunately, there is a prevailing perception among foreign applicants that they all only wish to study at Tehran University." Meanwhile, other reputable universities such as Tabriz University and other provincial universities also have suitable facilities and capacities for various fields.
Rabani referred to an example of this problem and said, "Many Pakistani students seeking to study in Iran insist on studying in Tehran due to a lack of awareness of the conditions and facilities of other universities." This issue requires cultural promotion and clarification so that applicants can make better decisions.
The Necessity of Facilitating the Entry Process for Foreign Students
Rabani further emphasized the necessity of facilitating the entry process for foreign students and said, "A foreign student who is accepted must be clearly aware of all stages of entry, how to move, accommodation, and the language training process." For this purpose, he called for the design of a comprehensive system to manage this process.
In conclusion, Rabani appreciated the forward-looking approach of the Student Affairs Organization regarding diversifying recruitment methods, including the development of online and cross-border education, and expressed hope that with joint and targeted collaborations, the existing barriers in attracting and training international students would be resolved as soon as possible.
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