Grand Ceremony for Beginning of Academic Year at University of Tehran / Honoring Top Achievers of National University Entrance Exam

The official and grand welcoming ceremony for undergraduate freshmen of the University of Tehran, admitted in 1404 (2025), was held with the presence of the President of the University, members of the University’s Board, and a group of faculty members. The event commenced with a tribute to the martyrs at the University’s memorial site, followed by the entrance of the University’s Board, the playing of the national anthem of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and the recitation of the Holy Qur'an.

Over 300,000 Graduates from the University of Tehran 

According to the University of Tehran Public Relations Office, Dr. Mohammad Hosein Omid, President of the University of Tehran, congratulated the new and hardworking students and stated: “This year marks the 91st anniversary of the University of Tehran. The University was founded in 1934 upon the proposal and approval of a scholarly minister of that era. Over the years, the University has graduated more than 300,000 individuals, and the number of students admitted annually exceeds the total student population of many universities across the country.”

Admission of Approximately 15,000 Students in the 1404 (2025) Intake 

Dr. Omid continued: “This year, approximately 15,000 students have been admitted. Around 5,000 at the undergraduate level, 8,000 at the master’s level, and 2,000 at the doctoral level. All academic disciplines offered globally are also taught at the University of Tehran, making it the only comprehensive university in the country that admits students across all fields and levels.”

The Importance of Recognizing Distinguished Figures of the University 

Emphasizing the importance of familiarity with the University’s distinguished scholars, Dr. Omid added: “Posters of professors, elites, and alumni of the University of Tehran have been displayed throughout the venue. Learning about these individuals is worthwhile, as they have played an unparalleled role in shaping today’s cultural landscape.”

Addressing the freshmen, Dr. Omid stated: “You have overcome one of life’s most challenging stages, including passing the entrance exam and gaining university admission. Now, you are studying at the University of Tehran, the most prestigious, largest, and oldest university in the country and the region.”

University of Tehran Among the Top 500 Universities Worldwide with the Highest Number of Faculty Members 

Dr. Omid noted that the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences operated as a single institution for nearly 60 years, producing many prominent medical figures during that period. He added: “Together, the University of Tehran and Tehran University of Medical Sciences rank among the top 500 universities globally, and in some disciplines, among the top 100.”

He further stated: “The University of Tehran has 2,300 faculty members. The second-largest university in the country has fewer than 1,000 faculty members. Importantly, over 60% of our faculty hold the rank of associate professor or full professor. The majority of the country’s distinguished and exemplary professors are affiliated with the University of Tehran. This immense and unparalleled capacity is now at your disposal, and you should make the most of it.”

University of Tehran’s Central Role in the Scientific and Cultural Development of the Country 

Dr. Omid concluded: “You, dear freshmen, have joined a university that plays a central role in the scientific and cultural development of the country. Therefore, you must embody the stature of a University of Tehran student. High expectations in terms of etiquette, ethics, and knowledge are placed upon University of Tehran students, and likewise upon their professors.”

During the ceremony, a video featuring statements by the Supreme Leader about the University of Tehran and the role of its students and faculty in national progress was shown. A captivating performance by the traditional music group from Torbat-e Jam and the reading of the University’s student pledge by a professor and a student were among the highlights of the event.

One of the symbolic and memorable moments of the ceremony was the passing of the University’s flag from a recent graduate to a freshman, symbolizing the continuity of knowledge and responsibility to the new generation. At the end of the ceremony, several top-ranking entrants of the national entrance exam who had been admitted to the University of Tehran were honored in the presence of the Deputy Minister of Science and members of the University’s Board.