2000 Subscriptions in the Lifelong Learning System of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Dr. Dehghan Nayyeri, the director of lifelong learning center in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences spoke of 2000 subscriptions in lifelong learning in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

According to WebDa, Dr. Nayyeri said: based on the rules, both qualitative and quantitative promotion and teaching novel scientific concepts and skills to medical society are the principal objectives of this lifelong learning center.

He added: lifelong learning programs are held in two forms: on campus (through seminars and educational workshop attendance) and online (through country-wide lifelong learning website of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences).

Highlighting that almost 2000 subscribers have membership in this lifelong learning system, Dr. Dehghan Nayyeri asserted: from March to September this year, roughly 390 on-campus programs have been held in lifelong learning center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

15,500 Participants in Online Programs

The director of lifelong learning in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences believes that online programs are considered as a priority as to their many advantages, and pointed out: at the moment, about 38 online programs are run on the website. Through the last six months, about 15,500 individuals have participated in online programs of this center.

Stressing that the design and approval of the programs are the most important activities in lifelong learning, he added: 12 online learning packages have been designed, received legal approval and are uploaded on the website from March to September this year.

Dr. Dehghan Nayyeri said: credit allocation can make the current procedures in lifelong learning more organized, rule-governed and scientific. Accordingly, there are some standards communicated by Tehran General Directorate to all universities through the country to which we should adjust in a limited time span.

Regarding this center’s perspective for September this year till next March, the director of lifelong learning center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences said: some factors like Iranian spring holidays in March-April, summer and Ramadan fasting month have negative impact on the on-campus programs of lifelong learning center; therefore, the programs are more concentrated in Sep-March. That’s why in two recent years, there have been attempts to increase the concentration of programs from March to September.

As he put it: lifelong learning enjoys a befitting status. More than 15 faculty members of various fields are members of scoring committee. Moreover, lifelong learning of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences has received strong supports in comparison with other centers throughout the country.

Highlighting the excellence of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences in running electronic lifelong learning system, Dr. Dehghan Nayyeri added: Mashhad University of Medical Sciences has been the second in the country that has initiated electronic roll call in the framework of the country-wide system.

Achieving the Second Rank in Educational Ranking Program

The director of lifelong learning center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences pointed out: regarding the accuracy in executing the programs, Mashhad’s lifelong learning is in a very good situation. In addition, this center has been able to achieve the second rank throughout the country as far as educational ranking.

As Dr. Dehghan Nayyeri put it, the non-orderly attendance of some few members of the medical society in the programs, and lack of a specific educational space for this center are among the major problems of lifelong learning center of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences.

With regard to this center’s quota from the budget, he said: it is almost five years that the ministry has not allocated any budget to this lifelong learning center. Actually, this center’s budget is zero. The only source of income is through the country-wide tariff for the subscription fee and attendance fees in the given programs, which is used for running the activities in this center.

The director of lifelong learning center in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences added: however, we have a policy to delegate our programs to educational departments and the educational organization of Medical Council.

The Necessity of Creating Coherent and Structured Organizational Positions

In the end, Dr. Dehghan Nayyeri emphasized: considering the fact that lifelong learning center does not have coherent and structured organizational positions, it is suggested to create an official and structured establishment and take some organizational positions into account in accordance with the management act, facilities and adequate work forces.