Vice-Chancellery for Global Strategies and International Affairs

Aspiring to become an internationally recognized institute, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences (SUMS), known for its leading role in the region, announced the establishment of the Vice-Chancellery for Global Strategies and International Affairs (GSIA) in Jan. 2015. Internationalization, diversity, community engagement, global learning, and safeguarding SUMS reputation have always been among the main concerns of the Vice-Chancellery for GSIA. In pursuit of the University’s Mission, it focuses on supporting the development of new research and health-care projects with partner universities and seeks developing new global and regional partnerships and pioneering strategic initiatives, thus, since its commencement, the vice-chancellery has been incessantly seeking to develop international cooperation and collaboration via MOUs, international agreements/contracts, International Education Program (IEP), etc. Further, enhancing the University’s international rank as a research and teaching medical higher education institute and measuring SUMS performance against the highest international standards have been among the focal points of the Vice-Chancellery.

Key Task Responsibilities are to:

• Strengthen SUMS position as an influential figure in the region
• Foster connections within SUMS community and abroad
• Promote global engagement at SUMS across all aspects of the university’s mission
• Facilitate, underpin, and strengthen international partnerships and collaborations between SUMS and its prospective/present partners around the world
• Identify funding opportunities
• Act as a liaison for institutional departments’ and government agencies’ international cultural and scientific events/programming
• Serve as a liaison for SUMS students, faculty, researchers, and staff involved in international activities and initiatives
• Enrich and foster the educational and research experience of SUMS international community
• Advocate for international and cross-cultural experiences
• Provide expertise/upgrade information for international quality assurance, quality audit, and accreditation activities
• Plan, manage, and administer Study Abroad program(s)
• Create global leaders
• Advertise the University internationally to make the University known as a “global institute” for research, higher education, and health care
• Increase student recruitment and the University’s training provision via a wide range of international networking and marketing activities
• Improve on SUMS ranking position in the world-famous university ranking systems
• Provide services and supportive programming to the international community at SUMS
• Formation and follow up on decisions made by the Supreme Council for International Relations
• Give advice at all stages of partnership programs
• Support outbound/inbound exchange programs
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders
• Plan and administer Non-resident Iranian Elites Program
• Host in-bound exchange students, visitors, scholars, and delegations 
• Admit, train, and provide services for foreign students attending international training programs, in collaboration with the Vice-Chancellery for Education
• Cooperate with the Vice-Chancellery for Clinical Affairs to advance health tourism programs
• Organize all international scientific gatherings, such as congresses, seminars, symposia, etc. in collaboration with the Vice-Chancellery for Research and Technology
• Support Short-Term study abroad programs for faculty and students
• Offer individual guidance and meetings with each study abroad participant
• Facilitate the lawful non-immigration status of foreign students, visitors, and scholars conforming to Iran’s regulations
• Give advice on various non-immigrant visa categories
• Manage International student health insurance
• Facilitate international student's transition to study and live in Iran
• Provide quality English and Persian language education
• Support international students’ welfare and interests while attending SUMS
• Provide services such as cultural activities, sports events, and housing options
• Hold International Student Orientation Programs
• Offer local airport pick-up on initial journey to Iran for students who will reside on campus

Directorates and affiliated Offices

• Directorate for International Education Development
• Directorate for International Networking and Marketing
• Directorate for International Relations, Accreditations, and Rankings
• Office of Consular Affairs and International Sabbaticals

International Education Program

Concerning the University’s mission, Vice-Chancellery for GSIA is missioned at planning, internationally advertising, managing, and administering the International Education Program (IEP) to admit fee-paying students from all around the world. As it is approved by the International Education Council (IEC) and SUMS Executive Committee, the international students admitted via the IEP are required to:

• Be non-Iranian citizens, Iranian citizens and applicants who hold dual citizenship cannot apply to SUMS International Education program (IEP). They must rather sit Iranian National University Entrance Examination (Concours).
• Be officially certified as a/an:

• B.Sc. or high-school/secondary school (equivalent) graduate for applying to the M.Sc. programs
• M.Sc. and B.Sc. (equivalent) graduate for applying to Ph.D. programs
• M.B.B.S./M.D. (equivalent) graduate for Specialty programs
• M.B.B.S./M.D. and specialty (equivalent) graduate for Subspecialty or Fellowship Programs
• Internship attendee or awardee of a certificate of practice for Specialty, Subspecialty, or Fellowship programs
• Demonstrate a satisfactory academic record (the cognate information is provided on SUMS webpage at www.sums.ac.ir/en).
• Submit evidence of satisfactory English language proficiency (further information is available at www.sums.ac.ir/en).
• Apply only online via http://www.gsia.sums.ac.ir.

Since 2005, the Vice-Chancellery for GSIA in cooperation with the Vice-Chancellery for Education and the Vice-Chancellery for Research and Technology has facilitated recruiting international students into over 220 disciplines. Applicants to the IEP ‘s undergraduate programs can choose M.D., D.M.D., or Pharm.D. programs, or among 12 offered bachelor’s degree programs. The IEP’s graduate education includes master’s, Ph. D., specialty, subspecialty, and fellowship programs in a broad range of disciplines. The Vice-Chancellery has also provided the opportunity of training international students recruited into non-degree-based programs (NDBPs) including short-term training programs and medical elective program. During the elective program, the students will develop their skills by observing and participating in Iran’s health care delivery system within 4–12 weeks. SUMS teaching facilities such as Nemazee, Shahid Faghihi, and Shahid Chamran hospitals provide services and education to international elective students in the following departments:

• Department of Anesthesiology
• Department of Cardiology
• Department of Community Medicine
• Department of Dermatology
• Department of Emergency Medicine
• Department of ENT
• Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics
• Department of Internal Medicine
• Department of Neurology
• Department of Neurosurgery
• Department of Nuclear Medicine
• Department of Ophthalmology
• Department of Orthopedics
• Department of Pathology
• Department of Pediatrics
• Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
• Department of Psychiatry
• Department of Radiology
• Department of Radiotherapy
• Department of Surgery
• Department of Urology

Both Iranian students enrolled in a non-Iranian institute and non-Iranian candidates who are attending either an Iranian university or a university abroad can apply for Medical elective placements. Applicants to this program are to be in their final or penultimate year of study of their medical degree. A precise and comprehensive list of programs offered by sums along with their cognate information are provided on the university’s website at www.gsia.sums.ac.ir.

Vice-Chancellor:

Seyed Hassan Seradj Pharm.D., Ph.D.

Address: 6^th Floor, Administration Building of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Zand St., Shiraz, Iran

Zip Code: 71348-14336

Tel.: (+98) 71 32 12 28 84

Email: gsia@sums.ac.ir