Education is Life Itself…!

Ehsan Shirkhanlo reporting from the Vice-Presidency for Research and Technology News Desk of the University of Tehran:
In a world where engineering education is undergoing profound transformations, the name of the University of Tehran shines alongside an international title: the UNESCO Chair in Engineering Education—a Chair whose mission is “to educate engineers for a sustainable future.” Since its establishment in 2014, this Chair, under the leadership of Professor Hossein Memarian, Full Professor of Engineering Geology at the School of Engineering, has guided the path of development, quality enhancement, and innovation in engineering education across Iran.

Professor Hossein Memarian, a distinguished researcher and associate member of the Academy of Sciences of the Islamic Republic of Iran, completed his studies at the University of Tehran, the University of Waterloo (Canada), and the University of Wollongong (Australia). He is the author of over 25 books and 300 scholarly articles, many of which have been influential and inspiring in the field of engineering education. Seven of his recent books have been selected as Iran’s Book of the Year or Distinguished University Textbooks—achievements that have established his prominent standing in engineering education in the country.

From Waterloo to Tehran: From an Idea to a UNESCO Chair

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) was founded in 1946 with the aim of fostering global peace through science and education. UNESCO Chairs around the world serve as platforms that bridge universities, scientific institutions, and society around a specific thematic area.

The UNESCO Chair in Engineering Education in Iran was proposed and established by the University of Tehran in 2014. Since then, under the direction of Professor Memarian, it has evolved into a national center for dialogue, research, and policy-making in engineering education.

Regarding the mission of the Chair, Professor Memarian stated:

“Our goal is simple yet profound: to enhance the quality of engineering education, ensure educational standards, and promote creative thinking among future engineers. Our motto, ‘Small Steps for a Better Tomorrow,’ reflects our belief that every step we take leaves a lasting impact on the future of education in this country.”

The Chair has thus far published a series of reference books in the field of engineering education, including The Engineering Profession, Engineering Design, Innovation in Engineering Education, and Teaching and Learning in Engineering. Additionally, dozens of scholarly articles—authored in collaboration with academics nationwide (See the list of suggested fields here)—have been published by the Chair to improve the country’s engineering education system.

Among its core activities, the Chair also organizes short-term training courses for faculty members of engineering disciplines and supports master’s and doctoral theses focusing on the enhancement of engineering education—an important step toward cultivating a new generation of research-oriented and forward-looking engineers.

What Lies Ahead for the UNESCO Chair?

Speaking about the future direction of the Chair, Professor Memarian explained:

“Our next goal is to establish a UNESCO Regional Center for Engineering Education, enabling us to expand academic and educational collaborations at both regional and global levels. We also aim to join the international CDIO university network and implement innovative models of engineering education in Iran.”

In conclusion, Professor Memarian invoked the words of the great American philosopher John Dewey, one of the pioneers of Pragmatism and Liberal Education:

“Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

He added:

“We must regard education as the essence of engineering life—a continuous journey of discovery, creation, and learning toward a brighter tomorrow.”