University of Tehran, is the oldest and largest scientific, educational and
research center of the country which is called the “Mother University” and the
“Symbol of higher education of the country”. This scientific center is the
entering gate of Iran into the new civilization. It is also considered as one of
the pioneers of the society in important scientific, cultural, political and
social affairs. It is such that besides its old role in political and social
changes of the country, its remarkable impact in the scientific-cultural
development of the society is also undeniable. With regard to the critical
mission and heavy responsibility towards the country and the exalted Iranian
nation as well and also for the purpose of flourishing the potential talents of
the country at the high level of human knowledge and adapting its programs with
the necessities and facilities of the country, this university makes efforts to
play a specific role in the construction of the country and achieve the glorious
scientific –industrial dynamic and sustainable peaks.
The valuable role
of the faculty members of the University in scientific and research development
of the country and training the specialized and qualified forces to serve the
Islamic Iran, along with the global new advancements is considerable. Enjoying
the specific international scientific, cultural and political position, besides
training the necessary specialized human forces in different fields and sectors
, has had a considerable impact in flourishing ideas and preparing grounds for
political and social moves . Also having active students’ institutions and their
impact on political and social changes has been unique.
The history of
the establishment of University in Iran dates back to the year 1851 and the
establishment of Darolfonoon – which was founded as a result of the efforts of
Mirza Taghi Khan Amir Kabir, aiming at training and teaching Iranian experts on
many fields of sciences. In the year 1928, Professor Mahmood Hesabi proposed the
subject of running a center which could be comprehensive or cover most of the
sciences to (Ali Asghar Hekmat) the then Minister of Culture.
In January
1933, during the then cabinet meeting, the subject of Tehran’s development, the
beauty and glory of the buildings, beautiful mansions and palaces were
discussed. On one side, the late Foroghi, who was the prime minister, and on the
other side, the other ministers were admiring the advancements of the city.
Riding to full gallop in admiring, many of them were excessively trying only to
please the king.
In the middle of this situation, keeping an eye on the
advancement of the capital, the late Ali Asghar Hekmat, being also the acting
minister of the Ministry of Education stated the following words cautiously:
“ Of course, there is no doubt on the thriving state and the glory of
the capital, but the only obvious deficiency is that this city has no “
university”. It is a pity that this city lags far behind other great countries
of the world”. These valuable words had a profound impact on everyone and they
accepted the idea. Thus having allocated an initial budget of 250,000 Tomans,
the Ministry of Education was authorized to find a suitable land for the
establishment of the University and take necessary measures to construct the
building as soon as possible.
Immediately, Ali Asghar Hekmat in
collaboration and consultation with Andre Gaudar, a French skillful architect-
who was serving the Ministry of Education as an engineer, began to find a good
location for the University. Following a series of searches in the abundant
available buildings, gardens and lands around Tehran, Jalaliyeh garden was
selected for the construction of the University of Tehran. It is worth
mentioning that on those days, unlike today in which finding an appropriate land
to establish a great university in Tehran is almost impossible, there were many
land owner who not only did not obstinate from selling their lands, but also
they were so eager to deliver their properties to these institutions which
surely could bring about huge profits. For this reason some of the owners of
Behjatabad lands had attracted the attention of then finance minister to buy
their territories for the establishment of the University. Whereas, according to
Mousier Godar, their premises [Behjatabad] were narrow and the position of those
lands was in the state of flood absorbing. Indeed in no ways, they were suitable
to establish the University of Tehran.
Despite this, the late Davar
Rojhan emphatically insisted on purchasing Behjatabad territories. He could
attract the positive views of most of the members. Finally the officials
selected Behajatabad. At this time, when Ali Asghar Hekmat was witnessing the
event in a mood of broken-heart and disappointed, Reza Shah arrived. Hearing the
subject, in his own specific bully manner, he changed the situation and said,“
Do select Jalaliyeh garden. Behjatabad is in no way suitable. Its premise is so
small and its lands are in the state of flood-absorption “. The officials had no
way but to accept it.
Jalaliyeh garden was located in the north of the
then Tehran between Amirabad village and the northern trench of Tehran. This
beautiful garden, full of old fruitful, orchard and other kinds of trees was
founded in about 1300 after Hegira in the final years of Naserol-din Shah,
Qajar’s government by the order of prince Jalalodoleh. At that time, a Turkish
businessman owned it whose name was Haj Rahim Aqaye Etehadiyeh Tabrizi. Anyway,
that businessman sold Jalaliyeh garden in lieu of 5 Rials for per meter and
totally for 100,000 Tomans. Then Monsieur Godar was commissioned to determine
the limits of the land, set up the rails, design and execute its constructional
operations. At the same time, on February 3, 1934, in the presence of the
governmental officials, the memorial plaque of University establishment was
placed in a place where it is now the southern stairs of the Faculty of Medicine