The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) was founded in 1948 at Imperial College, London. IAESTE is an independent, non-profit and non-political student exchange organization. Since 1948, the association has grown to include more than 80 countries world-wide and has exchanged in excess of 300,000 students. This means that yearly IAESTE exchanges around 6000 students playing a key role in the development of technical undergraduates able to make their mark in a global economy. IAESTE is currently a worldwide organization with 86 members in 84 countries. The association operates an exchange program for the benefit of students, academic institutions, industrial and other organizations offering internship. IAESTE Iran, which is a branch of IAESTE at the University of Tehran in Iran, was first established in 1965 by the ministry of science.
˚HISTORY OF IAESTE IRAN
At the time of IAESTE Iran’s founding, Japan and Iran were the only Asian members in IAESTE. Many universities and companies were involved in the student exchange program for practical training. IAESTE activities in Iran continued until 1978 when it was terminated under the Islamic Revolution.
Later, in 2002, when Dr. Masoud Motavalli from EMPA (Switzerland) was giving a speech at the University of Tehran, he suggested that University of Tehran can send students abroad for practical training through IAESTE. IAESTE was a new name at that time and no record was available from previous activities.
This idea was then followed by Dr. Mohammad Shekarchi and by hard efforts of Dr. Parviz Jabehdar, Mr. Alireza Mohanna, Dr. Maryam Farahani and Dr. Rouhollah Alizadeh, an application was submitted to the IAESTE International which was accepted in July 2002. University of Tehran became a new co-operating institute. Attending the 55th IAESTE general conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Iran exchanged 20 offers with 13 countries, even more than some established members. The number of students exchanged increased to almost 100 students at the next conferences. Sharif University of Technology became a member one year after the University of Tehran. Later we decided to join both Cooperating Institutions to make a better outcome.
So in 2005, because of the extensive hard work by the University of Tehran and the development of a well organized committee, Iran became an associate member through the presentation of Dr. Maryam Farahani.
4 years later, in 2009, after so much improvement in the whole function of the NC, especially in statistical records, through stability of the Committee in handling and managing its affairs based on IAESTE international bylaws and standards, and by the devotion of its staff member, Ms. Marjan(n) Farahani, as the Office Manager of this committee who was joined in 2005 to add up to the innovations, creations and the whole function of the services of the National Committee in a high and successful level both nationally and internationally, and by her excellent negotiation skills through her presented lecture about Iran in the AC – Annual Conference – held in Warsaw, Poland, IAESTE Iran’s application was accepted and it became a full member by receiving 98% of votes from 50 present full member countries at the conference.
Despite the negative press of Iran in the international media (such as human rights and nuclear program), many students from different countries visit and enjoy the land and culture through their traineeship with IAESTE. Iranian students also broaden their horizon by traveling abroad.
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