Problems and Issues in Higher Education: Perspectives on Iran-United States Educational Relations and Influences.

Overview & Synopsis

This review evaluates the writings and opinions of Americans and Iranians on relations and influences between institutions of higher education in Iran and the United States before and after the 1979 revolution. The review explores the arrival of modern western education in Iran, Egypt, and Turkey where a traditional education system had prevailed since the seventh century. It describes the influence of religion and education in Iran, the development of Iranian higher education, the development and role of the "madrasah" (traditional Islamic education systems), Iranian universities before the revolution, western involvement in Iranian higher education, problems with the adoption of the French university system curriculum, and the fundamental conflict faced by universities based on western-style higher education in traditional cultures such as Iran's. The study also examines the role and effect of the revolution on higher education in Iran and the influence of the universities on the revolution. It notes the modernization of Pahlavi University in part through cooperation with the University of Pennsylvania and other similar cooperative relationships. It concludes that many scholars recognize that the Iranian higher education system has confronted many major problems in adopting westernized higher education. Contains 51 end notes. (JB)