The Convivial Meeting of Student Welfare Council Candidates with the Executive Board of Kashan University

نشست صمیمانه نامزدهای شورای صنفی رفاهی دانشجویی با اعضای هیأت رئیسه دانشگاه کاشان

The Convivial Meeting of Student Welfare Council Candidates with the Executive Board of Kashan University

On the occasion of Student Day, a convivial meeting between the candidates of the Student Welfare Council and members of the Executive Board of Kashan University was held on Monday, December 9, in the Shahid Ayatollah Raeisi Hall of Kashan University.

The acting president of Kashan University emphasized the importance of forming student councils to address various issues faced by students. He stated that the representatives of these councils act as intermediaries between students and university administrators and authorities, making them better equipped to resolve students' problems.

Dr. Behzad Soltani noted that delegating student-related affairs to universities requires cultural adaptation at the governmental level, adding that this step can contribute to resolving student issues and enhancing their overall security. He proposed that students should establish welfare councils to voice their concerns and actively participate in decision-making processes, as these councils can serve as effective platforms for addressing student needs.

Highlighting existing challenges in the university’s educational and research sectors, Dr. Soltani stressed the importance of collecting and reviewing student feedback in these areas. He also addressed the financial difficulties faced by the university, mentioning a monthly budget deficit of approximately 10 to 11 billion tomans, with a significant portion allocated to subsidizing student meals.

Dr. Soltani suggested the creation of university-affiliated companies as a means to strengthen the university’s financial standing. He explained that these companies could leverage the research conducted by students and faculty to generate revenue for the institution. Drawing on successful international instances, he pointed out that renowned universities such as Stanford in the U.S. have contributed to national economic and scientific development by establishing technology companies.

He further highlighted the need for a fundamental shift in the mission of universities, advocating for a greater focus on entrepreneurship rather than exclusively prioritizing education and research. He cited leading global institutions like MIT as entrepreneurial universities, where assessment metrics extend beyond academic publications.

Dr. Soltani also underscored the role of public and philanthropic contributions in financing universities, calling for the removal of barriers between the university and the public to foster stronger connections with the community.

Dr. Hossein Sattar, Vice President of Student Affairs at Kashan University, remarked that the meeting aimed to address students’ welfare and advocacy issues. He warned that dissatisfaction among students regarding provided services could disrupt not only the university’s student affairs but also its academic activities. He emphasized that resolving student issues is critical to the university’s academic, educational, and research progress, noting that students are the backbone of the university, and their welfare council plays a significant role in tackling their challenges.

Dr. Sattar expressed hope that continued meetings like this one, fostering a spirit of collaboration between students and university officials, would help address and resolve students' welfare concerns.

During the meeting, candidates for the Student Welfare Council also shared their perspectives and outlined the issues facing the student community.