Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

About 1800 years ago and as a result of civilizational progress in Iran several centers of higher education were founded in this land one of the most important of which was the “Academy of Jundishapur” established in the third century AD during the reign of the Sassanid King, Shapur. It is said that Shapur had ordered the translation of Greek medical books into Pahlavi, the language of Iran at that time. Later, a large hospital was established in this area and a unique medical school was formed. Although in addition to medicine, philosophy, theology, and science were also taught in Jandishapur, this complex was mostly known as a hospital and medical school. This is the reason that the largest medical university in the Khuzestan province of Iran, which is also one of the largest universities of medical sciences in Iran, has been named “Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences”.

History

The establishment of a Faculty of Medicine in Ahvaz dates back to 1951 when preparations were made for the formation of modern medical education in this city. At the time of its establishment, this faculty was affiliated with the Jundishapur University of Ahvaz (now Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz). The School of Nursing and Midwifery of this faculty was founded in 1968 and began its activities by admitting 20 female students. After a law was passed on the establishment of independent universities of medical sciences, the above-mentioned faculty was detached from Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz to form “Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences” in 1986.

Presently, about 6400 students pursue their higher education in medical sciences under the supervision of 650 faculty members in the following seven faculties of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences:

1. Medical

2. Health

3. Pharmacy

4. Rehabilitation

5. Paramedicine

6. Dentistry

7. Traditional medicine

8. Nursing and midwifery

In addition, this university has two affiliated centers of higher education namely a nursing school in Bostan city and an institute of higher education in Shushtar. The university also has a self-governing campus where postgraduate students study.

Moreover, 9 hospitals and 20 medical centers also function under the supervision of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. The research activities of Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences take place in 27 research centers.

International Activities and Status of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

170 foreign students were studying at Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences in the academic year ending in 2022. According to the officials of the university, arrangements are made to increase the capacity of the university for admitting more foreign students in the coming years.

This university has presented itself as one of the top universities in Iran in various rankings provided by rating institutions. For instance, in the Shanghai ranking system that was published in 2023, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences ranked 301 to 400 and is among the top four universities in Iran in the field of clinical medicine. Also, in the field of public health, the ranking of this university was 401 to 500, which made it one of the best centers of higher education in Iran.

Similarly, in the Times ranking system published in 2023, this university was ranked 10th among Iranian universities and fifth among Iran’s universities of medical sciences. Also, in the 2021 ISC ranking system, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences was considered one of the top universities in the subject area of medical and health sciences, with a rank of 601 to 700.