Transforming Teacher Education through Curriculum Reform, Skills Development and Personalized Learning

The Deputy for Education and Graduate Studies at Farhangian University has outlined the key programs and policies of the university’s educational division, announcing plans to reform the overall curriculum architecture, expand skills-based education, increase practicum credits, move toward personalized learning, develop a comprehensive teacher education system, and hold innovative educational festivals.

According to the Public Relations Office of Farhangian University, the Deputy for Education and Graduate Studies made the remarks during the second gathering of provincial heads of Farhangian University, held on July 19, 2026, at the Shahid Bahonar Cultural Complex in Tehran. Outlining the division’s transformative approaches, the deputy identified improving the quality of teacher education as the university’s top priority and emphasized the need to review educational structures and curricula.

Referring to the university’s educational performance, the deputy stated that the average grade point average of student teachers has consistently remained above 17 from 2016 to 2025, with the overall average GPA of graduates during this period reaching 17.37. According to the deputy, these figures indicate a satisfactory educational performance at the university despite existing limitations and challenges.

The Deputy for Education and Graduate Studies also identified the effective use of adjunct faculty, alongside the organization and professional development of faculty members and instructors, as essential to improving educational quality. The deputy emphasized that educational quality is the result of a combination of factors, including curriculum, faculty members, educational facilities, and teaching and learning processes, and that the simultaneous improvement of all these components must be addressed.

The deputy identified the development of a Comprehensive Teacher Education System as one of the country’s most important educational needs, stating that establishing a unified framework for policymaking in the areas of student teacher recruitment, faculty recruitment, and educational programs is essential and can contribute to greater coherence and coordination within the teacher education system.

The deputy also announced plans to revise the university’s overall curriculum architecture, explaining that moving toward skills-based and competency-based education is one of the key objectives of the reform. In this regard, increasing practicum credits from eight to more than 20 credits is on the agenda, a measure that will require the review and revision of other courses as well.

Personalized learning was identified as another emerging approach of the educational division. The deputy stated that educational planning should be designed in accordance with the ecological context, regional needs, interests, and capabilities of student teachers. The development of self-directed learning programs, the use of emerging technologies, and the application of educational simulators in practicum programs are also among the initiatives planned in this area.

Emphasizing the importance of strengthening student teachers’ individual and social skills, the deputy referred to the creation of informal learning environments, including Knowledge Cafés, as another university initiative. Such spaces can provide opportunities for students to develop skills such as calligraphy, language learning, cultural activities, and sports through student participation. The development of a comprehensive student teacher profile is also planned to monitor their growth and development throughout their academic studies.

The Deputy for Education and Graduate Studies further emphasized the growing role of provinces in educational planning, noting that the division’s policy is to delegate part of the executive responsibilities to provincial units and make greater use of local capacities in designing and implementing educational programs.

At the conclusion, the deputy announced two major educational events: the Bold Ideas in Education Festival and the Outstanding Student Teaching Festival, expressing hope that these events would contribute to the development of innovation and creativity and help enhance the quality of education at Farhangian University.