University of Tehran

History

The history of the establishment of universities in Iran dates back to the year 1851 and the establishment of Darolfonoon. In 1928, Professor Mahmoud Hessaby proposed the establishment of a center which could cover most of the sciences to Ali Asghar Hekmat, the then Minister of Culture.

Related Topics:
Universities in Iran - 1851 - Darolfonoon - 1928 - Mahmoud Hessaby - Ali Asghar Hekmat

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In January 1933, during the cabinet meeting, the subject was discussed. Ali Asghar Hekmat, the acting minister of the Ministry of Education stated the following words there:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

:Of course, there is no doubt on the thriving state and the glory of the capital, but the only obvious deficiency is that this city has no ? university?. It is a pity that this city lags far behind other great countries of the world.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

His words had a profound impact on everyone in the meeting, resulting in the acceptance of the proposal. Thus allocating an initial budget of 250,000 Tomans, the Ministry of Education was authorized to find a suitable land for the establishment of the university and take necessary measures to construct the building as soon as possible.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Immediately, Ali Asghar Hekmat in collaboration and consultation with Andre Gaudar, a French skillful architect - who was serving the Ministry of Education as an engineer, began looking for a suitable location for the University grounds. By the orders of Reza Shah, the compound of Jalaliyeh garden was selected. Jalaliyeh garden was located in the north of the then Tehran between Amirabad village and the northern trench of Tehran. This beautiful garden, full of orchards was founded in the early 1900s during the final years of Nasereddin Shah, by the order of Prince Jalal-o-dowleh.

Related Topics:
Reza Shah - Nasereddin Shah

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The master plan of the institute was drawn up by Andre Gaudar, Markov, Maxim Cierro, and Mauser. The influences of early 20th century modernist architecture is still readily visible on the main campus grounds of the University today.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The University of Tehran officially inaugurated in 1934. The Amir-abad (North Karegar) campus was added in 1945 after American troops left the property as WWII was coming to an end.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~