IRIB University

While most Iranian universities function under the supervision of three ministries: "Health, Treatment and Medical Education", "Science, Research and Technology" and "Education", some institutions and ministries, have their own private universities with the aim of training their human resources. IRIB University is one such university that is affiliated with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting Organization of Iran.

History

It was on April 24, 1940, that the first radio program was broadcast in Iran and since the programs broadcasted on this radio could only be heard in Tehran, this radio was called "Radio Tehran".

Iran Radio and Television Organization was established in 1958 when television programs were broadcast for the first time in Iran. In the early years of television, its programs were broadcast for only four hours, from 18:00 to 22:00. The broadcast would start with a program for minors and children, followed by sports programs, and finally teaching a foreign language, news, and psychological discussions.

Following the expansion of the activities of this organization, the need for a center of higher education to train the required human resources was greatly felt as a result of which the "The School of Television and Cinema" was founded and began its activities in 1969. In the first year of its activities, this institute held a one-year short-term course, but after a while, two-year courses were designed. Thereafter, postgraduate courses in "Educational Technology", "Research in Mass Communication" and "Electronic Engineering" were other courses that were designed and imparted at this university before the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979.

After the victory of the Islamic Revolution, this institution, which was known as the College of Broadcasting, began to focus on training the forces needed by the Iranian Broadcasting Organization, the graduates were recruited in the Broadcasting Organization (Tehran) and its provincial centers. Each of Iran's 31 provinces has (at least) one radio and one television network. Apart from that, 20 television channels, 18 fixed radio channels, two Internet channels, and 20 overseas channels comprise the other sections of this organization.

Educational Structure of the IRIB University

The status of the College of Broadcasting was upgraded to that of a "University" in 2012 with five faculties of:

• Radio and Television Production
• Communication and Media
• Digital Arts
• Media Engineering and Technology, and
• Religion and Media

in which 164 full-time and part-time professors actively provide educational and research services for about 1000 students studying at the university.

The aim behind the establishment of the Faculty of Religion and Media, which is located in the city of Qom was the elevation of the quality of religious programs. This faculty was founded in 1997 and, presently, 64 full-time faculty members are engaged in teaching different subjects.

In order to support the broadcasting of students' works and to expand their specialized training field, a TV network by the name of "Roya" was launched on the internet in 2022. The university also publishes two scientific journals.

Foreign Students of IRIB University

In 2022, a call was published by IRIB University to admit foreigners interested in studying at this university at the postgraduate level. Media Management, Social Communication Sciences, Animation Production, Production of Radio Programs, and TV Programs were the fields announced in this call for admission. After acquiring the required qualifications, these students can work in the global networks of the IRIB. The "International Affairs" unit of the university was established in 2013 with the aim of integrating and expanding the organization's international activities.