Development of Doctoral Program in Health in Emergency and Disaster Paused in Universities Lacking This Degree

In a recent meeting of the Examination and Evaluation Board for Health in Emergency and Disaster, members decided to halt the development of the doctoral program in universities that do not currently offer this degree.

According to the university's news reporter, the meeting took place on April 20, 2025, in the university's presidential hall, chaired by Dr. Hamid Reza Khankeh, Head of the Health in Emergency and Disaster Department and Research Center.

Aimed at enhancing educational quality and evaluating this important field, the session began with a review of completed visits and new guidelines from the Ministry of Health. Dr. Khankeh urged board members to voluntarily participate in the accreditation process for universities based on the previous model, announcing that the Ministry of Health would communicate central accreditation to universities.

Additionally, it was agreed that periodic visits to evaluate the Health in Emergency and Disaster program would commence in September 2025. During another segment of the meeting, the board members resolved to stop the expansion of the doctoral program in universities that do not currently offer it.

The session also addressed the process of selecting board members, with universities asked to submit their proposed candidates.

In the final portion of the meeting, the exam questions for the Master's program in Health in Emergency and Disaster, scheduled for next month, were finalized. Plans were made for a thorough review of the references for the Master's and Doctoral programs and the related disciplines in the next meeting, with results to be submitted to the secretariat.

The meeting concluded with a strong emphasis on the need for standardization and the enhancement of academic and educational standards in Health in Emergency and Disaster.