Dome of Mina planetarium center at Tehran, newly constructed

Newly constructed Dome of Mina featuring a full-dome 3D planetarium, located in the Abbasabad neighborhood of Tehran.

Detail of oversize Persian Astrolabe situated on the grounds of Dome of Mina planetarium center

Exquisite architectural detail of Dome of Mina planetarium center, claimed largest in the Middle East. (Note IRGC colonel walking the grounds.)

Daylight observation through a telescope situated on the grounds of Dome of Mina planetarium center

Interior detail of Dome of Mina planetarium center

At the planetarium's formal opening, Tehran Mayor Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf and a number of officials from Iran's Space Agency (ISA) adjust their 3D glasses in anticipation of planetarium program.

Seated viewers of Dome of Mina planetarium 3D program

Sample imagery of 3D planetarium program (1)

Sample imagery of 3D planetarium program (2)

Sample imagery of 3D planetarium program (3)

Distance view, grounds of Dome of Mina planetarium center

Photos: Hadi Hirbodvash at Mehr News Agency

A Shia religious school in Qom, recently constructed

Front facade of new Ayatollah Khansari religious school at Qom

Interior detail of multilevel hall 

Detail of interior fountain on main floor

Interior detail of learning center study hall

Learning center study hall administer station

Interior detail of dining commons

New seminary school's dormitory

Interior detail of a typical dormitory room

Photos: RASA News Agency and Shafaqna.com

Ahmadinejad to Build a Technical College

Outgoing Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad plans to establish a technical college in Tehran after leaving office on 3 August. Named the University of Iranians, the institution will specialize in nuclear engineering, nanotechnology and aerospace. Ahmadinejad received the permit for the college from the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, a government body overseeing higher education in Iran. (IRNA/UPI, 28 July)

Photo credit: Iran's outgoing president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad (L) meets President-elect Hassan Rouhani in Tehran on June 18, 2013. (UPI) 

Ahmadinejad’s Directive against Gender Segregation at Universities

The President Also Wants to Stop Forced Retirement of Professors Regarded as Un-Islamic

The Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad today unambiguously instructed his ministers of Science and Health to stop recent developments in gender segregation at universities and the forced retirements of university professors. Both trends had been justified as the “Islamization” of higher education, preventing the mingling of sexes in the classrooms and getting rid of “Un-Islamic” university professors.

The text of Ahmadinejad’s directive is as follows:

In the Name of God

Mr. Daneshjoo, the Esteemed Minister of Science, Research and Technology

Ms. Dasterjerdi, the Esteemed Minister of Health, Treatment and Medical Education

Salam Alaykum,

1. It is heard that the university professors are forced to retire without reason. It is necessary that you stop the process of forced retirements until the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution passes the bylaws on retirement conditions for the members of the university faculties.

2. It is heard that some universities have segregated sexes in some departments and classrooms without considering the consequences.

It is vital to stop these shallow and unwise developments immediately.

Report back to me on your actions on these issues.

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad