A Critical Analysis on Historical Process of Higher Education in Iran

The purpose of this article is to critically analyze the historical process of higher education in Iran and to answer the question, “What roles have political, social, and cultural developments played in the development of higher education centers?” The type of research is descriptive and the method applied in the study is documentary (review). In data analysis, the method of content analysis was used. Regarding the content of the subject, the article analyzed the historical process of higher education in three periods, including ancient, middle, and modern era. Moreover, the paper analyzed and explained the social, political, economic, and cultural conditions and factors in each era with a critical view. Findings of the study suggested that the stability of the central government had an effective role in forming and developing higher education centers, so that when stability was dominant in the political and social space of the country, equipped libraries were established and road networks were developed and modified to facilitate access to these centers. The situation increased the willingness ofthe scholars of other countries, especially the Greeks, to attend the higher education centers of Iran. Concurrent with the establishment of Jondishapour University in Sassanid era, the growth of higher education centers reached its climax. In the middle era, which began with the emergence of Islam, non-governmental higher education centers were established and women became free to participate in higher education centers. Modern era began with the establishment of Dar ul-Funun in Qajar era. Dar ul-Funun was established with a professional and functional approach to modern science in order to meet the specialized needs, especially with regards to the modernization of the army and other prevailing needs. One of the most important scientific events of the modern era was the establishment of Tehran University in 1934