Malek-Ashtar University of Technology


Malek Ashtar University of Technology
is a public research university of engineering, science in Iran. Founded in 1984, MUT's main campus is located at Tehran, the capital of Iran. Its other campuses are located in Isfahan and Urmia. The university is named after Malik al-Ashtar, one of the most loyal companions of Ali Ibn Abi Talib.
MUT provides both undergraduate and graduate programs. It is organized into more than twenty schools, colleges, and institutes, located in six centers throughout Lavizan in Tehran, Shahin Shahr in Isfahan province, Karaj in Alborz province, Fereydunkenar in Mazandaran province, Bandar Abbas in Hormozgan province and Urmia.
The United Nations, the European Union and American officials believe the university is involved in the nuclear program of Iran and that it has served as a cover for the organization responsible for the manufacturing of nuclear warheads. The university is not open to visitors and inspectors of the International Atomic Energy Agency have not been allowed to interview staff. The university has been under sanctions from the United Nations and from the European Union. Exiled Iranian opposition groups have claimed the university has assisted in developing biological weapons.

History

In late 1981, the Iranian government brought together all military-industrial units and placed them under the Defense Industries Organization. By 1984, a large number of infantry rifles, machine guns, and mortars and some small-arms ammunition were being manufactured locally. They also established three universities to educate experts for Iran's industrial and research centers: Imam Hossein University, Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University, and Malek-Ashtar University. Malek Ashtar University of Technology was approved in 1984 by the Iranian Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. It was then recognized as a university in 1984.

Campuses

MUT had only one campus in Shahinshahr, Isfahan. In 1999, another campus was established in Tehran and known as main campus. Its faculties include aerospace engineering, applied sciences, electrical engineering, management and industrial engineering, marine sciences and engineering, materials and manufacturing technologies and information, communications and security technologies, and rector as of 2006.

Research

Aerospace research

Malek Ashtar University of Technology is among top five public universities in Iran that provide aerospace research and programs at undergraduate and postgraduate levels., and one college provide higher education and research in aerospace engineering.
Since the 1990s, Iran started to develop a launch vehicle based on Shahab-3. The Iran Space Research Center started testing launch capabilities since early 2007 reaching 150–200 km altitude based on Shahab-3 series. In 2008, they developed a two-stage launch vehicle Safir-1. In 2009, they launched a satellite named Omid into orbit using the domestically built launch vehicle Safir-2.

Biological research

According to the Center for Strategic and International Studies report on the biological activities in Iran, genetic cloning is being carried out at the Malek Ashtar University of Technology.
The Iran's activities about biological weapons began in 1985. By 1986, they established a research center in Tehran's Pasteur Institute to work on toxic fungus and microbial substances. The center succeeded in producing toxic fungus, and aflatoxin. In 1987, they moved the facilities to the Imam Hossein University.
A number of foreign experts from China, North Korea, India, and Russia have cooperated with the Ministry of Defense of Iran.
The Research Center for Direct Biotechnology, which does not directly work on microbial weapons, is used as the center for biological researches and actively works with the Malek Ashtar University of Technology, Imam Hossein University, and Baqiyatallah Medical Sciences University. However, the Centers for Science and Technological Growth of the Biological Research Center of the Malek-Ashtar University of Technology, affiliated with the defense industries, are in charge of mass production of biological weapons.

Chemical research

According to Iranian opposition groups, Malek Ashtar University of Technology uses the center for chemical research and chemical engineering located in west of Tehran for a joint study with Imam Hossein University.
The opposition group National Council of Resistance of Iran has claimed that since 1999, Imam Hossein University has been involved in chemical research in a much larger scale. One of groups linked to this university produces a significant amount of nerve gas in liquid, vapor, and powder form. According to the opposition group, Sina Industry with more than 4,000 employees is another Organization run by the Defense Ministry. It is involved in producing chemical products. The Parchin Chemical Industries located in south of Tehran, is another center of chemical products. Another complex manufacturer near the city of Semnan is also engaged in producing nerve gas.

Academics

Schools and colleges

The main campus located in Tehran include:
Isfahan campus include:
MUT has two library in Isfahan and Tehran campuses, Dr Chamran library and Khawrazmi library in order.
The university also co-operates with several independent research centers. Among those:
Admission in MUT is highly competitive and only top students may achieve this honor and all undergraduate and graduate programs requires scoring among top 1% of students in the Iranian University Entrance Exam, known as Concours.

Rankings

According to Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics policy there is no reliable source of MUT's researches, citations, teaching and industry income for international ranking systems.
Top Ranks in the research tournament in Iran indicate that this university has a high scientific level.

Student life

Residential Life

In addition to the sports teams, fraternities, sororities, and study clubs, there are many organizations on campus that focus on entertainment, arts, and culture.

Groups and activities

MUT has many scientific societies include:
The Materials Engineering Scientific Society selected as the best national scientific Society by Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in 2009, 2010 and 2011. Also, MUT Physics Scientific Society was honored in Harkat National Festival and selected as a third center of excellence in Iran Scientific Society of Physics.

Athletics

MUT students compete in club and intramural sports, including soccer, volleyball, basketball, badminton, tennis and ping pong. A wide variety of sports facilities are available at Malek Ashtar University of Technology. The Sports and Recreation Center serves various facilities and fields throughout both Isfahan and Tehran campuses to athletic teams.

Notable faculty and alumni