Soheyl M. Ahmadi

Presented by:
Soheyl M.Ahmadi
Managing Director,
TKDanesh Institute
Objectives
1.
Why Iran?
2. Better understanding of the Iranian market
3. How to get the best out of the Iranian market
4. Who are the formal agents in Iran
5. Introducing agents’ obstacles
6. What can be done to support an Iranian agent
7. Your questions
Iran’s potentials
Facts & Figures
 Iran’s population:
77,176,930
 Adults between 20-24 : 9,317,122
 Adults between 25-29 : 8,626,880
 Adults between 30-34: 7.330.587
 3.790.000 total No. of students
 Number of Konkoor exam applicants in 2013:
1.223.444 students
Top State Universities in IRAN
Ranking in Iran
University
Capacity
1
University of Tehran
33.672
2
Sharif Industrial University
10.502
3
Amirkabir Industrial University
10.600
4
Tarbiat Modarres University
7.970
5
Science and Technology University of Iran
12.391
6
University of Shiraz
20.000
7
Industrial University of Isfahan
10.000
8
Ferdowsi Mashad University
26.000
9
Shahid Beheshti University
11.547
10
Tabriz University
19.000
Total : 161.682
Other Universities in Iran
• Islamic Azad University
• Payam –e Noor University
• Elmi Karbordi University
Conclusions
 90 percent don’t get the chance to enter quality
Universities
 Less chance of gaining better opportunities, being
local
 Little chance of accreditation by foreign educators
 Lack of diverse fields of study (MBA, Arts, etc.)
 Lack of international programs
 Impossibility of transfers
Based on reports from the MSRT
Focus of the student mobility report
by MSRT:
Direct
Enrol at
Universities
Language
Programs
Exchange
Mobility
Custom made
programmes
Certificate
programs
Snapshot of Iranian Student Market
Academic Student Numbers in 2013 (Except Language programs etc.)
number of students in Bachelor (or language
programs/ Foundation / Certficate), level
91.004
number of students in Master level
23.996
number of students in PhD level
22.586
Total Number of students
137.586
Snapshot of Iranian Student Market
According to the data received from Iran’s media over 2013
The most sought-after University majors by Iranian students in
MASTER & PHD level
Engineering programs
(for higher scholarship chances)
29.222
Humanities
12.333
Basic sciences
8.534
3.739
1.304
Arts
Agricultural sciences
Snapshot of Iranian Student Market
According to the data received from Iran’s media over 2013
Number of Male & Female students in Masters and PhD
Males
36.267
Females
19.419
Top study destinations by Iranian
students in
MASTER & PHD level
No.
Destination
Student Numbers
1
Malaysia
9.077
2
USA
7.830
3
Canada
5.976
4
Germany
3.356
5
UK
3.152
6
Turkey
3.060
7
Italy
3.009
8
India
2.650
9
Australia
2.469
10
Sweden
1.822
11
North Cyprus
1.532
12
France
1.314
13
Tajikstan
1.103
14
Austria
965
15
Azerbaijan
952
Average Tuition fees paid
No.
Country
Average
1
Malaysia
4000-8000 $
2
USA
15000-18000 $
3
Canada
15000-20000 $
4
Germany
500-2000 $
5
UK
12000-18000 $
6
Turkey
6000-9000 $
7
Italy
2000-5000 $
Estimate of business worth
Average tuition fee paid : 7.850 $
7850 * 55686 (students) =
437.135.100 $
gains for Iran
• Cultural & Scientific improvement
• Transfer of knowledge
gains for host countries
• Financial profit
• Jobs
• Internationalization
 Make a comprehensive business plan on Iran
 Dedicated scholarships for Iranians
 Advertisement campaigns
 Satellite & National TV & Newspaper ads
 Seminars
 Farsi Mini sites, Fliers, Brochures
 Agent support
 Incentives
 FamTours
 Being Accredited by MSRT (higher education)
Table of accreditation by MSRT
Group
Accreditation
Ranking Basis
Group A
Top Universities
Top ranking State
Universities
in QS & Times
Group B
Good Universities
Group C
Average Universities
Group D
Weak Universities
Group E
Unacceptable
high-standing private
Universities
Political relations
Controlling policies on
the number of students
sent
MBA schools
Private Universities
Unlisted Universities
Other types of
educators
Benefits of Being accredited for
educators
 Legal access to Iranian student market
 Marketable by agents through all types of media
 National and Satellite TV
 Seminars
 Public newspapers
 More students as a result of subsidised currency rates
 Joint programs
 Better employment prospects in Iran for graduates of
accredited educators
How to become accredited?
1. Write a formal letter to your country’s foreign affairs
ministry.
2. The foreign affairs ministry will follow up with its
local embassy in Iran.
3. The local embassy will follow up with Iran’s MSRT.
OR
1. Write a formal letter to the appointed regional expert
at the MSRT.
(http://scholarship.msrt.gov.ir/component/joomap/ )
• 191 registered agencies in Iran
• Authorized to recruit to 1-3 specific
countries of work
• Members of the SSRI (Iranian Society of Student
Recruitment Institutes)
Benefits of working with Authorized
Agents
• Reduction of costs because of great knowledge of the market
• Contribution to better and longer-lasting branding
• Permission to recruit students without any legal limitations
• Permission to advertise formally
• Reliable agencies that have already been selected by MSRT
• Being responsible for unforeseen legal issues with students
- The currency crisis after sanctions (graph)
- limited countries of work
- Limited marketing tools permitted
- Accreditation of Universities by MSRT
- Military Service for boys
- Unauthorized agencies & Legal issues
Obstacles & Limitations on
certain visas for Iranians
 Student visas on language programs from USA,
Canada and the EU. (F1, study permit, D)
 Visas on non-degree courses
 Schengen visa (up to 90 days) for short courses,
conferences, etc.
 Visa for dependants
 Student visitor visas for the UK
 Visa on degree programs in Europe (Like Germany),
UK, Australia, Canada and USA.
Good Examples: Malaysia
- Ease of student visas
- Accredited Universities
- MOUs with Iranian Universities
- Decent support of agents in Iran
- Farsi Brochures
- Training of agency’s staff
- Direct Satellite network adverts
- Marketing investments
- FamTours in the summer for Iranian families
- A few agents, yet very active ones
- Use of special commission incentives for more than a
certain number of students
Good Examples: Language school X
(Now, known as a top brand)
Great advertisements on Satellite TV
Specialized brochures
Right planning
Trained staff
Great commission package for agent