News > Joint meeting of the educational directors of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education
Joint meeting of the educational directors of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education
A joint meeting was held for the directors of educational affairs of the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences (USWR) and the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) with the presence of the Secretary of the Council for Education of the Medical Basic, Health and Specialized Sciences (CEMBHSS), the Secretary of the Council for the Development of the Medical Universities (CDMU), Head of the Educational Services Center and Head of the Faculty members at MOHME, as well as the Chancellor of the USWR, the Vice-Chancellors for Education, Culture and Students Affairs, and the directors of the educational departments of the USWR.
Prof. Hamid Reza Khankeh, Chancellor of the USWRs, referring to the suggestion of Dr. Ali Akbar Haghdoost, Deputy Minister for Education at Iran’s MOHME who recently visited the USWR, reiterated that advancing the goals and the educational programs of this university is crucial. Though rehabilitation services are tertiary healthcare services, with the evolving social, economic as well as demographic changes, the health pyramid of all countries are witnessing a decrease in childbearing, an increase in elderly population and the growing vulnerability of different sections of society. Thus, the societal need for rehabilitation services, mental health and social health can no longer be ignored.
The USWR is unique among all the universities under the MOHME and none of the universities in Iran offers rehabilitation sciences, social welfare and mental health services all in one setting and with interactions between several disciplines, working together and with the Ministry of Science. Prof. Khankeh also highlighted the status of two special facilities, the Razi Psychiatric Center (RPC) and the Rofeideh Rehabilitation Hospital (RRH) under the auspices of the USWR; the lack of full insurance coverage for the services and permanent accommodation costs of 600 chronic psychiatric patients in RPC, and 85% of the rehabilitation beds in RRH; the RRH also has a six-month waiting list. The services of both facilities are not fully covered by insurance companies. He proposed the establishment of a secretariat within the MOHME for specialized boards of rehabilitation sciences to facilitate the growth of these essential disciplines.
Prof. Mohammad Reza Khodaei Ardakani, Vice-Chancellor for Education presented the activities of 23 educational departments and 8 research centers of the USWR, with 159 faculty members, teaches 1776 students across three levels of education. He petitioned for a change in the name of the USWR to “Rehabilitation Sciences and Social Health”, and support for the university's electronic test center.
Dr. Masoumeh Jorjani, Secretary of the CEMBHSS under MOHME, emphasized the growth of the USWR in recent years, its enlarging capacities and potential. She proposed for the implementation of special and major missions in the rehabilitation area by the university, and promoted the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence. She highlighted the need for prospective studies, educational and research planning for the future of these fields and added the aptitude, attitude and type of activities of the USWR will enhance the role of this university in policymaking and macro-planning of the country.
Dr. Mohammad Hossein Ayati, Secretary of the CDMU, stated that the current macro-regional development focus is the ten-year development plan of the universities under the MOHME. The USWR has its special mission but has encountered obstacles along the way. With regards to renaming of the university, it is subjected to the final opinion of the CDMU, though he is hopeful that the approval of the university board of trustees will proceed favorably. Dr. Ayati considered it pertinent to examine the educational gaps, strengthen the educational sections and departments of the university, in order to provide the ground for the establishment of a secretariat of specialized boards of rehabilitation sciences. This will serve to approve the required courses. He explained how to carry out the relevant steps and reviewed them in the CDMU.
10:40 - 2020/12/01 / 17886 / 803