History
History of the School of Public Health
Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences began its academic activities in 1986 with the admission of students to programs in Medicine, Nursing, and Midwifery. During this period, a Public Health Group was established within the School of Medicine, bringing together faculty members with expertise in Epidemiology, Environmental Health, Health Services Management, and Health Education. The group was responsible for delivering academic education and professional services in these fields.
In 1991, the first cohort of students was admitted to associate degree programs in Environmental Health. Subsequently, programs in Disease Control and Family Health were established within the School of Medicine at Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences.
Following the approval of the establishment of the School of Public Health in 2004, the Public Health Group became an independent academic unit, separate from the School of Medicine. The School of Public Health subsequently commenced its independent academic activities with three departments: the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, the Department of Environmental Health, and the Department of Public Health.
In 2004, the Bachelor of Environmental Health Engineering (top-up) program was introduced. In 2010, the School expanded its academic offerings to include the Bachelor of Environmental Health Engineering, MSc in Environmental Health Engineering, and Bachelor of Public Health programs. The MSc in Biostatistics was established in 2011, followed by the MSc in Epidemiology in 2015 and the PhD in Environmental Health Engineering in 2018.
In 2022, following approval by the Council for the Expansion of Medical Education, the Bachelor of School Health program was established. In 2024, the School admitted its first cohort of students to the Bachelor of Occupational Health program, further expanding its portfolio of academic programs in the health sciences.
Today, the School of Public Health is committed to the continuous enhancement of the quality and scope of education, research, and academic development, in alignment with the broader educational and research priorities of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences. Expanding academic programs, strengthening research capacity, fostering innovation, and enhancing educational infrastructure and capabilities remain among the School’s key strategic priorities for the future
Faculty Identity
The mission, vision, values, and strategic objectives of the School of Health define its future direction and commitment to excellence in education, research, and healthcare.
Faculty Mission
Mission of the School of Public Health
The mission of the School of Public Health is to educate and develop competent, ethical, and highly skilled health professionals through an academic environment grounded in ethical values and Islamic principles. The School is committed to addressing the evolving health needs of individuals, communities, and society through:
Excellence in Education:
Providing innovative, evidence-informed, and competency-based education, supported by advanced teaching methodologies and emerging technologies, to prepare knowledgeable, skilled, adaptable, and socially responsible health professionals.
Comprehensive Health Services:
Advancing approaches to health promotion, disease prevention, health protection across the continuum of care, with a focus on improving population health and reducing health disparities.
Research and Innovation:
Harnessing the expertise and capabilities of faculty members and students to generate, advance, and disseminate scientific knowledge; foster innovation; and translate research evidence into effective practices and meaningful outcomes for individuals, communities, and society.
Faculty Vision
The School of Public Health aspires to be a leading academic institution in education, research, and health services, recognized for academic excellence, innovation, and its contribution to population health. Grounded in Islamic and ethical values, the School is committed to fostering an intellectually vibrant and inclusive academic environment that promotes innovation, professional excellence, and lifelong learning through the effective integration of state-of-the-art educational technologies.
The School envisions a future in which its graduates, faculty members, and researchers contribute meaningfully to improving the health and well-being of society in accordance with national priorities and international standards. Through excellence in education, impactful research, and innovation, the School seeks to strengthen the scientific and professional capabilities of its graduates and enhance its academic and professional standing at national and international levels.
Statement of Values
Our organizational culture is grounded in the following core values, which guide our academic, research, administrative, and professional activities and reflect our commitment to excellence, integrity, and meaningful contributions to society:
Islamic and National Values
Upholding Islamic and national values, respect for the rule of law, knowledge-based development, and adherence to ethical principles in all academic and professional activities.
Merit and Excellence
Promoting merit-based decision-making, professional competence, accountability, continuous improvement, and excellence in academic, research, and administrative activities.
Stakeholder Engagement and Satisfaction
Recognizing and responding to the needs and expectations of key stakeholders, including policymakers, faculty members, students, health professionals, and the communities we serve.
Human Dignity, Integrity, and Confidentiality
Respecting human dignity and upholding honesty, integrity, transparency, and confidentiality in all academic, research, administrative, and service-related activities.
Collaboration and Teamwork
Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, teamwork, and effective use of available resources to continuously enhance education, research, and health services in alignment with the mission and strategic priorities of the University and the School.
Social Justice and Professional Ethics
Advancing social justice, equity, and respect for human rights while upholding the highest standards of professional and academic ethics.
Innovation and Empowerment
Encouraging innovation, creativity, and knowledge-based solutions; empowering faculty members, staff, and students; and contributing to the sustainable development and advancement of society.
Strategic Goals
In alignment with the School of Public Health’s mission and vision, and in response to emerging public health challenges and the evolving needs of the health system and community, three strategic goals have been established for the 2025–2028 strategic planning period:
G1 – Excellence in Education, Research & Public Health Services:
To advance the quality, relevance, effectiveness, and societal impact of education, research, innovation, and specialized public health services in alignment with national health priorities and the evolving needs of society.
G2 – Capacity Development, Innovation & Organizational Excellence:
To strengthen human resources, academic and research infrastructure, and organizational and management systems through continuous quality improvement, evidence-informed decision-making, digital transformation, efficient resource utilization, and the promotion of innovation and productivity.
G3 – Strategic Engagement & National and International Collaboration:
To foster strategic partnerships with health-sector stakeholders, professional organizations, communities, and academic institutions, and to expand national and international educational, scientific, research, and technological collaborations, thereby enhancing the School’s academic reputation, professional visibility, and contribution to public health advancement.
Specific Objectives
To operationalize the School of Public Health’s mission and strategic goals, the following specific objectives have been established for the 2025–2028 strategic planning period:
1. Educational, Research & Service Excellence
• Enhance the quality, relevance, and responsiveness of academic programs in alignment with evolving health-system priorities and societal needs.
• Develop and continuously revise competency-based, skills-oriented, and community-responsive curricula that prepare graduates to address current and emerging public health challenges.
• Strengthen the quality, quantity, relevance, and societal impact of applied, needs-driven, interdisciplinary, and translational research.
• Expand and improve specialized educational, laboratory, and technical services in accordance with professional and community needs.
• Promote innovation, digital transformation, technology development, and knowledge-based activities across educational, research, and service domains.
2. Human Capital, Infrastructure & Resource Development
• Strengthen the professional competencies and academic capabilities of faculty members and staff through structured and continuous professional development.
• Develop and modernize educational, research, laboratory, technological, and digital infrastructure to support high-quality academic and research activities.
• Enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of human resource, financial, and other institutional resource management systems.
• Optimize and streamline educational, research, and administrative processes through process improvement, digitalization, and evidence-informed management.
3. Quality Assurance, Performance & Good Governance
• Establish and strengthen integrated performance monitoring, evaluation, and quality assurance systems based on measurable indicators and evidence-informed decision-making.
• Institutionalize a culture of continuous quality improvement across educational, research, service, and administrative activities.
• Strengthen accountability, transparency, and participatory governance through systematic monitoring, feedback mechanisms, and stakeholder engagement.
4. Strategic Partnerships, Engagement & Internationalization
• Strengthen strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, regional health networks, health service centers, and other public health organizations.
• Expand partnerships with industry, governmental and executive organizations, professional bodies, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector to facilitate knowledge translation, innovation, and workforce development.
• Promote and expand national and international academic, scientific, research, and technological collaborations, including joint research, academic exchange, and collaborative educational initiatives.
• Strengthen alumni engagement and stakeholder participation in educational development, research, professional activities, and institutional decision-making.