University of Birjand

In spite of not being a metropolis, Birjand is considered as one of the important cities in the northeastern regions of Iran. This city, which is the capital of South Khorasan Province of Iran is famous for having a large number of old pine trees. Birjand also has one of the oldest universities in the northeast of Iran. University of Birjand, which was established in 1975 is presently considered as a scientific and educational hub in the east of the country.

History

Professor Mohammad Hasan Ganji who is considered the founder of modern geography and meteorology in Iran was the founder of and the first head of the "Institute of Higher Education" of Birjand, which was established in 1975.

In the first year of its activities, this institute admitted 120 students in the three fields of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. After the victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 the name of this center was changed to "Higher Education Complex" and in 1989 it was upgraded to be a "University Complex". Keeping its scientific conditions in view, it was renamed “University of Birjand” in 1992. The educational space of this center of higher education is about 53 thousand square meters while an area of about 113 thousand square meters has been allocated for recreational and other purposes related to education.

Presently, the University of Birjand is considered the scientific and educational pole of the eastern part of the country. Over the years of its university, more than 30,000 people have graduated from this university, and now more than 13,000 students are pursuing their higher education in 340 fields at associate, undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctorate levels. Nearly 30% of the students of this university are studying in postgraduate courses. The number of full-time faculty members of the university stands at 350.

The Structure and Faculties

University of Birjand has 11 faculties which are located on three campuses. Faculty of Sciences is the oldest faculty of this university. Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Psychology, Faculty of Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Faculty of Electricity and Computer, and Technical Faculty are other faculties of this university. The technical faculty is located in Ferdows City, and Sarayan College of Agriculture, Sarbisheh College of Agriculture, and Nehbandan College of Mining are considered the satellite complexes of Birjand University.

The implementation of more than 300 research projects is one of the outstanding achievements of this university. Researchers and students of this university have produced hundreds of articles and inventions. The following 10 research groups are responsible for directing and managing the research activities of this university:

1. Earth sciences

2. Saffron

3. Rural studies

4. Interdisciplinary studies

5. Production and application of high-density hydrogen rays and energy

6. Interdisciplinary studies of holy defense

7. Environmental tensions in animal sciences

8. Plants and environmental tensions

9. Drought and climate change

10. Orthopedics and biomechanics

The formation of each of these groups has taken place on the basis of the economic and climatic needs of the region; providing a suitable ground for researchers to communicate with the industrial and agricultural sectors of South Khorasan Province.

International Activities

The University of Birjand started its activities to admit foreign students a few years ago and presently about 600 foreign students are studying there. This university has signed MOUs with 21 universities and research centers of different countries. In 2021, this university was ranked 1102 among the best universities in the world and 16 among Iranian universities in the Times Ranking system.

The “Office of International Scientific Cooperation" has been established at the University of Birjand with the aim of strengthening its international activities. In addition to determining the orientations and policies of the university in scientific cooperation, this office is responsible for concluding memorandums of understanding with international scientific and research centers. Implementing joint research projects with the centers of higher education of other countries and improving the position of the university in international rankings are other duties of this office.