The Medical University of Isfahan and Isfahan Province Medical Services together bear one of the most precious and oldest heritages of humanity, which is academic education of medical sciences. The first foundations of the university can be traced back to Behdari Higher Education Institute, which dates back to 74 years ago. Behdari Institute of Higher Education was founded by a farsighted group of prominent authorities of the time. The cornerstone of the university was a small building on Ahmad Abad Street of Isfahan.
Following negotiations with the then Ministry of Culture, the Institute could benefit from the theoretical classes and laboratories in Saadi High School to educate its trainees. Shortly after this milestone, Behdari Institute shifted all its activities and location to Saadi High School, providing the chance for the students to win a Behdari degree after four years.
The Faculty of Medicine was inaugurated close to Behdari Institute, making the beginning of a new journey for students who were able to achieve a 6-year medical training course. In this year, Dr Hakami’s efforts came to fruition, the permission and budget were granted to buy the vast lands in Hezar Jarib Area and the plans for building Medical University appeared and started.
The final construction stages of the faculty of medicine witnessed other events. Behdari Institute was moved to the same location followed by the opening of the school of pharmacy. The school of pharmacy offered bachelor programs was managed with the faculty of medicine.
The school of pharmacy became independent, and the first university chancellor was appointed.
The academic core of the faculty of medicine consisted of 9 faculty members and it was the time for Behdari Institute to merge in. At that time, practical courses were offered in Saadi School Laboratories first and then in the ones in Hezar Jarib Buildings. Some wards and clinics from Khorshid Hospital were allocated for medical internship which was supervised by associate professors who were leading the wards. According to the university regulations, academic members and other staff were selected in two consecutive phases: a written test and an interview by a special committee.
In parallel with a new law which demanded the formation of a board of trustees, the university activities took on a new look. A handful of new buildings for departments were erected in the current campus. Specialized medical courses were offered.
The faculty of pharmaceutical sciences and school of nursing were established, and evening classes as well as a bachelor of medical laboratory science were offered. In addition, Amin, Ayatollah Kashani, and Khorshid hospitals housed affiliated clinics of the university.
The 4-year bachelor program of pharmacy was changed to a 6-year doctorate program in pharmacy, and the faculty was renamed as the faculty of pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences.
A master’s degree in physiology was introduced for the first time.
Following the development of a nationwide health network and the integration of health services provision and medical education, Medical University of Isfahan started focusing on education, training and research in medical sciences and health services as an independent university.
