Reported by Public relation and International Affairs, the 11^th Graduation Ceremony at the International Campus of Sharif University of Technology welcomed 121 Graduates from 3 academic levels- Undergraduate, Graduate and Post Graduate levels with the presence of Dr. Mahmoud Fotuhi, President of Sharif University of Technology, Professor Saeed Sohrabpor, Former President of Sharif University of Technology, Members of the Board of Directors of SUTIC and Dr. Abdul Hamid Alizadeh, General Director of the Overseas Student in Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Number of local and family of Graduates were also present to celebrate this special occasion on Thursday, 13^th June, 2019 in the Main Hall of SUTIC.

At the Ceremony, Dr. Fotouhi titled the International campus of Sharif University of Technology in Kish Island as the “Education Center and Scientific Pole” in the region and continued stating that Sharif University of Technology has adapted a strategic plan with 3 motives: Excellence in Education, Excellence in Research and Technology and Excellence in social efficacy. More than 2000 faculty members from reputable universities in the region have at least one academic degree from Sharif University of Technology which illustrates the role of this university in shaping the Higher Education of the country. Dr. Fotouhi further pointed out that the most important mission and goal of the university was devoted to the International campus of Sharif University of Technology where important steps have been taken to be Internationalized through enrolling 35 foreign students over the past one year and initiating Joint degree programs/courses with foreign educational institutions and universities.

He has also announced the creation of an area in Kish Island as “Sharif City of Innovation” under the supervision of the main campus of Sharif University of Technology since currently more than 450 knowledge based companies operate in this area, which can attract graduates and elites. He hoped to see the establishment of such a center for entrepreneurship and innovation on Kish Island. He also suggested that the Alumni Association of the International branch of Sharif University of Technology would also be added to the graduates of Sharif University of Technology so that the students would be able to maintain their contacts with the university and consider it as their second home.

In the following, the President of SUTIC, Dr. Selk Ali Ghafari stated that the International campus of Sharif University of Technology today is proudly titled as the Leading campus in Innovation, Technology, and Internalization. He further added that it is SUTIC’S pride to promote the future of the country since its graduates can serve the country with their expertise and commitment.

Dr. Ghafari considered the Graduation Ceremony as one of the most important events and sought graduates to swear their allegiance to ethical aspirations and their commitment to professional ethics.

Dr. Ghafari further stated that factors such as creation of infrastructure to facilitate the recruitment of Iranian students residing abroad, implementation of major policies, the attempt to enhance the university’s name and recognition, internationalization, and realizing the aspirations of Sharif University in Kish Free zone area were the most important concerns of the management board and the board of directors of the campus in the recent years. He added that while the opportunity was provided for Sharif University of Technology to open a branch abroad as the country’s first international campus, it was later declined due to the importance of raising national capital and scientific elites within the country. Hence Kish Island was selected as the major grounds for establishing the International campus. In this Graduation Ceremony, 121 students have Graduated, out of which 11 students are from Undergraduate level, 96 from Graduate and 14 students from Post-graduate level.

Dr. Abdul Hamid Alizadeh, the General Director of the Overseas Student in the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology stated that the Higher Education Institution is in a traditional era today, and from a traditional national perspective, it is shifting to an international perspective. He added that today the importance of internationalization in all affairs, especially in Higher education is evident and is the first priority of Ministry of Science. The focus of this strategy is on attracting foreign students with two main goals of fostering foreign scientific and cultural ambassadors in universities and booming higher education economies. He continued on highlighting the unique benefits of SUTIC, claiming that there is no other International campus or university with such benefits because Ministry of Science, Research and Technology has its own restrictions in admitting foreign students but the International campuses in Kish Free zone area have no such limitations especially the International campus of Sharif University of Technology and in addition the two important features include teaching in English Language and the ease of obtaining visas and residence permits in Kish Free Zone. Dr. Alizadeh ended his speech with a good news for the international students in Kish Island and stated that the required permissions and license from Ministry of Science, Research and Technology has been obtained to establish the 16^th International Student Consular Affairs Office in Kish Island

It is important to note that the International campus of Sharif University of Technology has been operating in Kish Island since 2004 in 3 different academic levels- Undergraduate, Graduate and Post-Graduate and has received 2200 Graduates till date.

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