Referring to the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings, the President of the University of Kurdistan stated that the university has secured the 51st rank among all comprehensive, industrial, and medical sciences universities in the country.

During the university council meeting held on Monday, May 11, in the presence of the Representative of the Supreme Leader in Kurdistan Province, Dr. Adel Si-o-se-marde expressed his condolences on the martyrdom of several compatriots in recent attacks, noting: "Fortunately, the University of Kurdistan did not suffer serious damage during recent events and has remained active throughout this period."

He added: "Under the current circumstances, classes continue to be held virtually; nevertheless, the University of Kurdistan is among the top three universities in the country that have facilitated the admission of postgraduate students into dormitories."

Dr. Si-o-se-marde further noted: "According to the latest Times Higher Education rankings announced on May 5 of this year, the University of Kurdistan is ranked between 1000 and 1200 globally and between 400 and 500 among Asian universities."

He stated that over 10,000 Iranian students and approximately 540 international students from various countries are currently studying at the University of Kurdistan, supported by a dedicated faculty of 386 members.

He added: "Nine members of the University of Kurdistan's faculty are among the top 1% of the world's most-cited scientists, and 23 members are recognized among the top 2% globally."

Stating that the university holds a desirable position in terms of scientific quality, the President of the University of Kurdistan remarked: "In terms of scientific and research indicators, the University of Kurdistan’s performance exceeds the national average."

He also addressed the status of student dormitories, saying: "Currently, more than 5,200 students are accommodated in the university's dormitories, which has placed significant pressure on the university's welfare facilities."

Dr. Si-o-se-marde added: "We aim to increase the university's scientific capacities in the coming years by expanding postgraduate programs and recruiting new faculty members."

Utilizing Faculty Expertise in Provincial Management

In the continuation of the meeting, the Representative of the Supreme Leader in Kurdistan emphasized the necessity of utilizing the capacity of academic elites in the country's executive management, stating: "The expertise of faculty members can also be effectively utilized in provincial management."

Hojjat-ol-Eslam wal-Muslimin Abdolreza Pour-Zahabi, emphasizing the need to strengthen the scientific standing of universities and move away from a security-oriented view of the province, stated: "Kurdistan is a cultural, scientific, and artistic province, and the foundations for its development must be provided based on indigenous capacities."

Referring to his background in various universities across the country, he added: "The state of science and higher education requires serious attention; therefore, recruiting more faculty members in universities will contribute to enhancing scientific quality."

The Representative of the Supreme Leader in Kurdistan also criticized the decline in the quality of some educational classes and the prevalence of short-term and virtual education, stating: "Science requires motivation, dialogue, and deep interaction."

In another part of his speech, Hojjat-ol-Eslam Pour-Zahabi reiterated the necessity of using the potential of university elites in executive management, asserting: "The capacity of faculty members can be utilized in managing the provinces as well."

He also described the University of Kurdistan's initiative to allocate part of its land for the establishment of a Science and Technology Park as a valuable step, saying: "Narrow-mindedness must be set aside and replaced with a development-oriented vision."

It is worth noting that at the end of the meeting, the Representative of the Supreme Leader, accompanied by the university's board of directors, visited various departments of the University of Kurdistan.