A ceremony has been held to recognise the services of the former head and introduce the new head of the Department of Physics, in the presence of the IASBS President, Prof Sadollah Nasiri Gheydari, the Deputy for Administrative and Financial Affairs and Education and Research, Prof Rashid Zaare-Nahandi, the former Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Azimi, and the new Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Hajizadeh.

At the meeting, the IASBS President thanked the former Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Azimi, for her efforts and service during her tenure. He described ethical conduct, honesty, fairness, and consistent follow-up as among her notable management qualities, and praised her efforts to address issues affecting faculty members and students and maintain a calm and collegial atmosphere in the department.

Emphasis on the Department of Physics’s academic standing and the need to support research

Referring to the academic standing of the Department of Physics and its importance within the university, the IASBS President described the department’s extensive teaching and research activities and its valuable scientific capacity as important strengths. He stressed that supporting active departments, creating opportunities to pursue their proposals, and addressing their challenges played an important role in advancing the university’s academic objectives.

Prof Nasiri Gheydari, said that the increase in requests and challenges in active departments was a natural part of academic activity. He said this should be viewed as a sign of dynamism and efforts to advance. He also stressed the need for university management to work alongside department heads and support constructive plans and proposals within the available resources and authority.

Strengthening collegiality, engagement, and faculty participation in department management

The IASBS President said that creating a calm, friendly environment based on mutual respect was an important factor in improving academic and research performance. He stressed the need to maintain a cooperative and interactive atmosphere in the Department of Physics.

Referring to the efforts of the former Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Azimi, to create a suitable environment for cooperation among department members, Prof Nasiri Gheydari described maintaining professional relations, strengthening collegiality, and addressing colleagues’ concerns as important elements of successful management. He expressed the hope that this approach would continue with equal strength during the new administration.

The IASBS President also described consulting faculty members, drawing on colleagues’ experience, and involving them in decision-making as essential to effective management. He stressed that student and faculty matters should, wherever possible, be addressed at department level, while issues requiring decisions at higher levels should be pursued through continued engagement with university management.

Referring to the importance of managers’ effective presence on campus, Prof Nasiri Gheydari stressed the need to devote sufficient time to following up departmental affairs and maintaining regular contact with faculty members and students. He also expressed university management’s readiness to cooperate in resolving challenges and advancing the department’s plans.

Attention to the new head’s academic and management experience

Mentioning the new Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Hajizadeh’s, long-standing experience at the university and her familiarity with its academic environment, student concerns, and the department’s capacity, the IASBS President described this knowledge as a valuable opportunity for advancing departmental affairs. Expressing his hope for the success of the new management, he stressed the importance of drawing on faculty members’ academic expertise and experience, strengthening consultation, and creating a dynamic and energetic environment in the department.

The IASBS President, also noted that successful management required more than following up administrative matters. It also required patience, responsibility, constructive engagement, and the ability to create suitable conditions for colleagues’ academic work. He said managers could help offset some limitations arising from a lack of resources by understanding existing capacities and making effective use of department members’ abilities, thereby creating conditions for the growth and advancement of teaching and research.

Recognition of the former head’s service

The Deputy for Administrative and Financial Affairs and Education and Research, Prof Rashid Zaare-Nahandi, also thanked the former Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Azimi, for her service. He described managing the department as an important responsibility requiring consistent follow-up, given the breadth of its activities, the presence of experienced and senior faculty members, and the difficult circumstances involved in preserving its academic capacity.

Referring to the importance of preserving and strengthening the university’s human resources, Prof Zaare-Nahandi praised the work carried out during the previous administration and wished the former head success in her continued academic and professional career. Referring to the new Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Hajizadeh’s, academic background and longstanding familiarity with the department, he also wished her success in her new role and stressed university management’s readiness to cooperate in advancing the department’s affairs.

The former Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Azimi, made reference to her educational and professional background at the university and her strong attachment to the department. She thanked university management for its support and faculty members for their cooperation. She said that during her tenure, she had sought to maintain a calm departmental environment and follow up colleagues’ and students’ concerns and needs carefully and as quickly as possible.

She also expressed satisfaction with the work carried out during her tenure and said she was ready to cooperate with the new management and share her experience whenever required.

New head appointed for a two-year term

Under an appointment order issued by the IASBS President, Prof Sadollah Nasiri Gheydari, the new Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Hajizadeh, was appointed to the position for a two-year term beginning on 10 October 2026.

The order emphasises drawing on the academic expertise of faculty members and researchers in the department to strengthen the position of physics at the frontiers of knowledge, supporting creative and problem-oriented research, developing technological and applied activities, and expanding scientific cooperation with universities, research centres, and industry.

Strengthening interdisciplinary cooperation, making effective use of laboratory capacity, and creating suitable conditions for innovative and constructive achievements are also among the priorities set out in the order. The new management is expected to use the department’s existing academic and specialist capacity to help advance the university’s strategic objectives and plans and strengthen the academic standing of the Department of Physics.

At the end of the meeting, a certificate of appreciation was presented to the former Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Azimi, in recognition of her service and efforts during her tenure. The appointment order was presented to the new Head of the Department of Physics, Dr Hajizadeh. Those present stressed the importance of maintaining cooperation and collegiality across the university and wished both faculty members health and success in their continued academic and professional careers.