Weak University–Industry Link Remains a Major Challenge in Iran’s Veterinary Education
Report by Hakim Mehr – Mohsen Tahermirzaei
Despite the significant quantitative growth of Iran’s poultry industry in recent decades, experts say that its connection with higher education and veterinary research remains weak and insufficient.
Dr. Jamshid Razmyar, a faculty member at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, believes the root of this gap lies in the shift of veterinarians’ roles from the public sector to the private sector, which has reduced the number of industry referrals to universities.
Poultry Education Has Become Overly Theoretical
Speaking to Hakim Mehr, Dr. Razmyar explained that specialized poultry education in Iran has become excessively theory-based.
“Students graduate without adequate exposure to real industrial environments.”
He also announced new plans by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tehran to sign cooperation agreements with poultry clinics and hospitals, allowing students to benefit from private-sector capacities under faculty supervision.
According to Razmyar, although national development laws encourage university–industry collaboration, weak oversight and the absence of enforcement mechanisms have kept such cooperation mostly voluntary.
Scientific Challenges in Iran’s Poultry Sector
Dr. Razmyar highlighted several key scientific and educational challenges facing the sector:
Limited direct interaction between students and industrial poultry operations
Insufficient practical training facilities at major universities
Reduced involvement of universities and the Veterinary Organization in clinical services following the expansion of the private sector
Research topics and student theses that are often disconnected from real industry needs
He noted that prior to the 1990s, veterinary services—including diagnostics, vaccination, laboratory work, and slaughterhouse operations—were largely provided by the public sector, which maintained a close link between universities and industry.
But with the rapid increase in veterinary graduates and the growth of the private sector, this connection gradually weakened.
Bridging the Gap Through Need-Based Research
Dr. Razmyar said that efforts in the past decade have focused on defining students’ research topics based on real industry issues, particularly in slaughterhouses and production units.
“If academic research is designed around the actual needs of the industry, collaboration will naturally follow—not through government enforcement.”
He emphasized that universities must demonstrate their ability to solve industry problems for sustainable cooperation to emerge.
Differences Among Universities
Razmyar pointed out that universities such as Tehran and Ferdowsi lack adequate facilities for practical, hands-on training.
In contrast, institutions like Shiraz University of Medical Sciences benefit from on-site breeding farms that provide real-world training opportunities for students.
Is Industry Cooperation Enough?
Internship programs for veterinary students have long existed in Iran, typically spanning 45 days and covering vaccination, disease control, slaughterhouse operations, and pharmacy work. However,
“Industry participation remains voluntary, and without effective oversight, cooperation has not become mandatory,”
Razmyar said.
He stressed that the responsibility lies primarily with universities:
“If research and theses address real industrial problems, industry–university collaboration will naturally take shape. Otherwise, academic work will remain confined to library shelves.”
Conclusion
According to Dr. Razmyar, revitalizing the link between universities and the poultry industry requires:
Updating curricula to reflect real industrial needs
Strengthening practical and clinical training
Designing research with direct relevance to production challenges
Such a relationship, he argues, must be based on mutual necessity, not governmental pressure.
