Please introduce yourself and the Azfa Center briefly.

I am Seyed Esmail Ghasemi Mousavi, an assistant professor of Arabic language and literature at Lorestan University, and I lead the Center for Teaching Persian to Non-Persian Speakers at our university. Recognizing the pivotal role of Persian language and literature in the development, preservation, and transformation of Islamic civilization, and its ongoing influence on other cultures, it is crucial to teach Persian to non-native speakers. This highlights the importance of promoting the language and culture of Iran. Additionally, it is essential to educate international students in the country's official language and impart cultural and scientific knowledge during their studies. The Azfa Center at Lorestan University, a recently established institution for teaching Persian, officially started its operations in January 2024. Despite its recent inception, with significant support from university officials, notably President Dr. Ali Nazari and the Head of International Cooperation, Dr. Gholamhossein Hosseini, the center has quickly made substantial progress. It plays a vital role in teaching Persian to international students, and its impact is clearly evident. Moreover, the center has successfully collaborated with more experienced universities in Persian language instruction, such as Imam Khomeini International University and the Saadi Foundation. By leveraging the expertise of other Azfa centers across the country, the center is on a promising growth trajectory.

What is your opinion on the role of recruiting international students in transforming Persian language into a reference language for science?

Persian language and literature play a crucial role in defining the identity of Iran and its neighboring Persian-speaking countries. They have also significantly shaped the identity of Islamic civilization through various languages over time. Despite facing many challenges, Persian has continually advanced due to its importance in the cultural identity of Iranian Islamic societies. Historically, Persian has been recognized as the language of science, literature, and scholarship, and this remains true today. It continues to serve as a common language that reflects its rich cultural heritage and its role in science, education, and communication among diverse communities. This indicates that Persian has the potential to become a key scientific language. To elevate Persian to a prominent scientific language, several strategies could be pursued. One approach could involve the Iranian government investing in other countries by setting up Persian language schools, educational institutions, publications, and other scientific and cultural entities. Another strategy could be to recruit students from neighboring countries, educating them in Persian so they can act as cultural and scientific representatives of Iran in their home countries. It is clear that a combination of these strategies is necessary. However, two key considerations must be addressed: First, transforming Persian into a reference language for science requires significant investment and careful planning. Second, merely creating educational centers and recruiting students without a clear plan and goals could hinder progress toward this objective. Despite this, recruiting international students is a critical strategy due to the considerable benefits it offers. If the aim is to establish Persian as a scientific language, then focusing on international students and developing scientific and cultural institutions in Persian should be seen as targeted promotional efforts. By concentrating these efforts on the right audience, the likelihood of success in achieving this goal is greatly enhanced.

Does your university's center have specific strategies for expanding Persian language and recruiting students?

The third point about simplifying the process of studying at Iranian universities is indeed important. However, it's equally essential that this effort to recruit students does not undermine the quality of education. The Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, along with policymakers, must ensure that the competition among universities for international students does not result in lower educational standards. Universities should avoid making it easier to obtain degrees and grades merely to recruit students, as this could lead to the misconception that cooperation with international students involves compromising on educational rigor, especially in specialized fields. The Ministry of Science, Research and technology should implement policies that incentivize high-quality and well-organized centers while also setting up monitoring and preventive measures to handle these issues effectively. This is an ongoing concern for the Ministry, requiring continuous planning and the creation of appropriate oversight and corrective systems suited to current university conditions. Currently, one challenge faced by Azfa centers in universities nationwide, which the Student Affairs Organization of the Ministry of Science, Research and technology is actively working to address, involves the limitations these centers encounter. These challenges include the need to update university organizational structures to better integrate these centers into administrative frameworks and the Ministry. Establishing an office within the Ministry’s Student Affairs Department aims to promote Persian as a scientific reference language by recruiting international students from neighboring countries. Additionally, creating Persian language research institutes and supporting them financially is crucial for achieving the scientific goals set by the Republic of Iran’s broader policies through international students and strengthening the role of this sector within the Ministry and affiliated universities.

What is your Opinion on the role of fair in promoting Persian language and achieving its status as a reference language?

Advertising is undeniably a critical tool for any organization today. Its importance for institutional success has been recognized by both scholars and managers. Not only does advertising have an external impact, but it also helps shape the internal identity of an organization. Greater visibility for a center fosters a stronger sense of belonging among its members, which can significantly boost its efficiency. Additionally, as discussed earlier, advertising and recruitment efforts must be targeted and efficient to avoid wasting resources, energy, and, most crucially, time. One effective method for achieving targeted advertising is through organizing international exhibitions. Collaborating with domestic centers, universities, and relevant ministries in target countries can make these exhibitions particularly effective in attracting students and promoting Persian, thus contributing to its establishment as a reference language.

What is your opinion on the International Fair of Study?

As previously noted, broadening the reach of Persian language and establishing it as a prominent reference language requires extensive planning and effort at multiple levels. This involves improving the quality and competitive edge of Iranian universities in comparison to regional counterparts and creating a detailed roadmap for scientific development, with Azfa centers nationwide contributing to this goal. It's essential to effectively highlight the significant accomplishments of the Islamic Republic of Iran. In today’s global landscape, institutions must continuously and prominently showcase their achievements, resources, capabilities, and strengths. If the aim is to enhance the influence of Persian language and Iranian-Islamic culture, presenting these successes internationally, especially in countries targeted for international student recruitment, is crucial. Hosting Fair of Study in Iran serves as a powerful means of effective and impactful promotion to draw in international students. Additionally, given the variations among Iranian universities, student recruitment organizations and consequently, the participants in these fairs will have the chance to make well-informed decisions based on the institutions' facilities, locations, interests, and other criteria. This transition from random selection to a more deliberate and informed process will be advantageous for both students and universities on either side.

What is your center's role in organizing and enhancing the attractiveness of the fair?

The officials of Lorestan University, along with the staff and instructors at the university's Azfa Center, recognize the importance of cultural influence in regional and global contexts. Given Lorestan province's strategic location and facilities, they have consistently aimed to recruit students, particularly from neighboring Arab countries like Iraq. Their focus has always been on enhancing educational quality, especially in Persian language and literature. Although the Azfa Center at Lorestan University was recently established, it has made significant strides in just a few months by utilizing all its resources and employing top specialists and faculty in Persian and Arabic language and literature. This effort has led to a notable improvement in Persian skills of its international students. One of their strategies includes refining regulations and guidelines to better familiarize students with Persian, literature, and Iranian culture. Considerable efforts have been made to develop and continuously improve internal educational bylaws in language education with the support of the university's executive board. The university officials believe that creating structured frameworks and drafting educational regulations are essential strategies for achieving educational and research goals. Additionally, Lorestan University has forged sustainable relationships with various departments of neighboring universities by signing and activating cultural agreements with eight Iraqi universities and organizing educational, research, and cultural meetings. These include collaborative sessions with professors from universities in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Qatar. They have supported faculty efforts for bilateral cooperation, such as joint guidance and consultation, student exchanges, and short-term opportunities. The dedication of the university president, faculty members, the international cooperation group, and especially the instructors at the Azfa Center has been crucial in these endeavors.

In your opinion, what should be done to increase the attractiveness of studying in Iran?

Responding to this question is especially crucial and quite complex. If we do not balance making Iran attractive to students from neighboring countries with the ongoing enhancement of education quality for international students, we could deviate from our aim of promoting Persian language and Iranian culture and establishing Persian as a prominent scientific language. To avoid this, we must first understand how to make studying in Iran appealing to students from nearby countries.

This appeal can be achieved in several ways:

1. Economic Competitive Advantage: Students from neighboring countries should find that, even with the costs of registration, tuition, travel, accommodation, consular services, etc., studying in Iran is still more affordable than in their home country.
2. Scientific and Academic Excellence: Iranian universities, or specific programs within them, should attain such a high level of quality and reputation that students from other countries see studying at these institutions as a path to a promising academic and professional future. This can be achieved through various methods, such as developing a comprehensive scientific plan for the country's universities, focusing universities and programs on specific missions, implementing quantitative and qualitative evaluation programs for universities, and working to improve the global rankings of Iranian universities. While these are already part of the Ministry of Science's macro policies, the goal of promoting Persian language and Iranian-Islamic culture should be more prominently integrated into these strategies.
3. Ease of Access: Simplifying the process for international students to access educational opportunities in Iran.
4. Ease of Study: Making the educational process straightforward and accommodating for international students without compromising on quality.

The International Cooperation Group at Lorestan University, especially the Azfa Center where I work, is committed to playing a significant and effective role in this exhibition by attracting international students across various levels and fields. Utilizing our elite and skilled personnel, we aim to present our research needs, opportunities, capabilities, attractions, and both software and hardware facilities in innovative and contemporary ways to the exhibition audience, representing a small part of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Please specify to what extent students from your centers will participate in this exhibition?

Lorestan University plans to involve student representatives, collaborating centers, and reputable and trusted student recruitment institutions recognized by the Ministry of Science, as well as student volunteers from international backgrounds, in this fair. Additionally, the university intends to use materials such as clips, catalogs, brochures, and more.

What is your opinion on the materials and items necessary for the successful representation of a language center at an international fair?

Given the role of display materials and modern technologies in contemporary education, incorporating tools like televisions, projectors, and similar devices is crucial. However, given the prominence of social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook among international students in Iran, leveraging these channels to connect with their peers and showcase Iranian institutions is also vital. Additionally, setting up dedicated pages on popular messaging apps in neighboring countries and applying strategies to boost these pages' visibility in search engines can be highly effective. Collaborating with international groups and language centers to create specialized exhibition platforms, along with establishing a multilingual radio station in languages like Arabic, Turkish, and Urdu—languages spoken by many students in Iran—can significantly contribute to organizing a successful fair.

Do you have any specific suggestions for the fair organizing committee?

Suggestion for the exhibition organizers: In addition to using the exhibition time for specialized sessions, educational and training workshops, etc., for the heads and staff of centers, holding discussions and exchanges of ideas, as well as brainstorming with institutions involved in recruiting both Iranian and international students, can be considered beneficial supplementary activities.