Urmia University of Medical Sciences

Urmia University of Medical Sciences can be considered the oldest university in Iran that has been engaged in training students in modern medical sciences. In the late 19th century, Joseph Cochran, an American physician born in Urmia, founded a medical college in this city. This college, which became known as "Westminster", began its work in 1878 CE, but the sudden death of Dr. Cochran in 1905 resulted in the closure of this college. During the 27 years of the activities of this college, 26 Iranian doctors had graduated from it.

Urmia University was established in 1965 and its medical faculty officially started working in 1977 by admitting 48 students. Following a law passed by the Islamic Parliament of Iran for the separation of medical sciences from comprehensive universities, this faculty was upgraded to an independent university of medical sciences.

Education and Research at Urmia University of Medical Sciences

More than 4300 students pursue their higher education in different fields of medical sciences under the supervision of more than 300 full-time faculty members in the following faculties of this university:

1. School of Medicine

2. School of Nursing and Midwifery

3. School of Health

4. School of Allied Medical Sciences

5. School of Pharmacy

6. School of Dentistry

Urmia University of Medical Sciences also has an international branch, which was established in 2013 to admit Iranian and non-Iranian applicants who are interested in studying at the postgraduate level in different fields of medical sciences.

Miandoab Nursing, Mahabad Nursing, Naqdeh Nursing, Bukan Nursing, and Salmas Nursing Colleges are affiliated educational units of Urmia University of Medical Sciences. In addition, seven educational and health centers also work under the supervision of this university.

The two research institutes of "Clinical Research" and "Cellular and Molecular Medicine" are the research arms of the university. The Clinical Research Institute was established in 2020 and five research centers work under its supervision. Three research centers are also working under the supervision of the Cell and Molecular Research Institute. This research institute was established in 2018.

Urmia University of Medical Sciences publishes four scientific journals on the latest research projects of its researchers two of which are in English language.

This university has a committee named "Student Research", which was established in 1993 with the aim of promoting and improving the culture of research among university students. Promoting ethical research, scientific interaction between professors and students, gathering new ideas, and improving the quality of scientific productions are among the other goals of this committee. Some of the achievements of this committee of the Urmia University of Medical Sciences include receiving high-ranking positions in different medical research festivals and inscribing patents.

International Activities of Urmia University of Medical Sciences

The “Office of International Relations Management” has been established to handle the international activities of the university such as concluding memorandums of understanding with research and research institutes of different countries, providing consular and accommodation services to non-Iranian students, announcing conditions and fields with the capacity to accept non-Iranian students, planning study opportunities and holding international seminars and conferences. According to the officials of Urmia University of Medical Sciences, increasing the capacity and facilities for admitting foreign students is one of the goals of this university, which will be realized by 2025.