About SAMT's Centre for Research and Development in Humanities

The unquenchable thirst for knowledge and thinking among Iranians over the past millenniums has introduced the intellectual capabilities of this nation not only to the people of the East but to the whole world.

Our national and religious teachings have always emphasized rationalism and knowledge seeking, and Iranian scholars and scientists have taught us that by hard work and perseverance in research, one can reach their exalted goals, and even with little facilities achieve a lot.

Today, scientific research, especially in humanities and social sciences, requires a solid interaction with national and local culture to regain the status it deserves following this principle, the establishment of SAMT's Centre for Research and Development in Humanities in December 2003 took place to come up with comprehensive, applied finding. What enhances the importance of this centre in achieving SAMT's objectives is its being research-oriented, as any educational activity which is not deeply rooted in research would not be effective. Any university course book or textbook has to be based on research findings. Therefore, this centre has been founded to mediate between research and education and to direct studies related to SAMT's goals. Its activity is centred on creating support for writing, translating or developing academic texts.

Aims and Objectives

Research studies in humanities can be divided into three categories: 1) basic, 2) developmental (R & D) and 3) applied.

1. Basic Research which can be either general or specific

- General basic research: These studies do not primarily aim at current topics in humanities, instead they handle more fundamental issues such as methodology, philosophy of sciences, and borders among disciplines which, of course, calls for interdisciplinary studies.

- Specific basic research: These studies are directly related to the compilation of those textbooks in humanities which are not for any certain university courses but can be useful in their compilation.

2. Developmental research (R & D) follows two objectives:

- Research studies influenced by international developments investigating their contribution to that certain area as well as other related fields, and

- Studies aimed at making science and knowledge available to the public whenever and wherever possible. The findings of such studies will be used in encyclopedias, dictionaries and reading books.

3. Applied research studies which are directed to wards the role and status of SAMT in Iranian educational system. Achieving standards regarding style, form and content of course books are among major goals of this class of research studies.

Programmes of the Centre

1. Conducting research projects,

2. Publishing specialized scientific periodicals in humanities and writing course books to promote and regulate both local and regional levels

3. Contacting other local, regional and international research and education centres in humanities for scientific interactions and information exchange to achieve common goals,

4. Holding research and educational conferences and meetings,

5. Carrying out educational workshops, and

6. Devising plans to help SAMT researchers and academics attend conferences and seminars.

Structure of the Centre

This centre functions in ten research departments and three sections, the office for Scientific Meetings, the Translation Unit, and the Journal Office

a) Ten Research Departments

These departments are: 1) Linguistics and Persian language, 2) Foreign languages, 3) Social sciences, 4) Law and political science, 5) Arts, 6) Management, 7) Economics and accounting, 8) Behavioural sciences, 9) History and Geography, and 10) Philosophy and theology.

These departments carry out basic, developmental and applied research studies to incorporate their findings in compiling textbooks and handbooks into various areas of humanities.

Their activities take place in three stages: 1) defining research priorities within the department, 2) planning and confirming projects, 3) analyzing research findings and validating them.

b) Office for Scientific Meetings

One of the responsibilities assigned to SAMT from the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution is holding research and scientific gatherings attended by local and international experts and publishing the proceedings of these assemblies so that they may be used as articles, university textbooks or course books. These conferences can identify and eliminate shortcomings in humanities, Particularly with respect to textbooks. This office coordinates scientific meetings in SAMT.

Major axes of its activities include: 1) holding scientific assemblies and lectures, 2) introducing and celebrating outstanding scientific figures, 3) arranging sabbaticals and scientific visits for SAMT academics, and 4) conducting research and educational workshops.

Upon the request the respective of departments these activities will be coordinated by the Office for Scientific Meetings.

c) Translation Unit

Translation, as an independent skill, along with other skills must be dealt with in a specialized fashion. Non-systematic, haphazard approaches towards translation, especially of university course books, can cause serious problems. In this regard humanities due to their sophisticated nature which is closely to "discourse" and their content are more important and complicated. Therefore, the books translated in this unit must meet the highest standards of accuracy, clarity and readability so that students may not only understand them easily but also follow the writing examples set in these books.

For this reason, the Translation Unit intends to promote translation as an independent skill by translating major handbooks and references for research departments to meet their needs as well need as those texts required for certain research projects and by translating books compiled by SAMT into other languages.

d) Journal Office

This unit is responsible for publishing scientific journals focusing on humanities. So far thirteen issues of the quarterly Sokhan-e SAMT(The Message of SAMT) have been published. This quarterly is a specialized journal. The objective of this journal is establishing relations and connections with other scientific and research organizations to facilitate the process of knowledge production and publishing findings and information in line the journal's goals and aims. The main role of Sokhan-e SAMT is circulating scientific findings both by sharing research findings of the institution with others and by receiving their valuable research findings.

Considering the main objectives of SAMT and the Centre for Research and Development in Humanities, Sokhan-e SAMT focuses on analysing course books and resources. This quarterly journal includes articles, views and findings of concerning university textbooks, their compilation, critical analysis of tertiary education courses, and finally, introducing and evaluating other institutes compiling textbooks.

In sum, Sokhan-e SAMT is a specialized quarterly dealing with a variety of issues related to compiling and publishing university course books.