Urmia University

Westminster Medical College (1879–1915)

Urmia University was founded on the site of the New Westminster Medical College (also known for its affiliated Old Westminster Hospital) which was established by Joseph Cochran in 1879. The Westminster Medical College was the first attempt to establish a higher education institution in Urmia. Cochran, an American citizen born in Urmia to Presbyterian missionary parents, spent his entire professional life developing it. The Urmia University website credits Cochran with "lowering the infant mortality rate in the region".[1] Cochran also established the first modern Western hospital in Iran.

The medical faculty Cochran was joined by several other American medical doctors including Dr. Wright, Dr. Homlz, Thomas Langdon van Norden (1802–1871), and Emma T. Miller. They lived their entire lives in Urmia. S. Oshana Badal (1853–1911) was the first graduate in 1883. After graduating, Badal briefly went to Edinburgh at Cochran's request to further his education. On his return, he became Cochran's first assistant physician. Two princes of the Qajar dynasty, Mozaffar-ad-Din and Naser-ad-Din Shah, visited the Westminster Medical College in the winter of 1890;. Graduation certificates were jointly signed by Cochran and Mozaffar ad-Din Shah. After Cochran's death in 1905, Badal ran the school until his death in 1911. Both died of typhoid fever The school was briefly named Cochran Memorial Hospital after his death.

Harry P. Packard (1874–1954) took over the hospital and college in around 1906 until its closure in 1915. American doctors Laura McComb Muller and Wilder P. Ellis joined Packard prior to the closure of the school. In 1909, Emma T. Miller left the college and Urmia.

In 1907, Samuel Clement built the New Westminster Hospital in central Urmia.

Later re-establishment and developments (1965–present)

The foundation of the current Urmia University was laid in 1965 when the Agricultural College of Rezaeiye was established. In 1970, the Iranian Ministry of Science assigned further development of the college to the university. An agreement was signed between the Iranian government and the Near East Foundation in the United States to establish a four-year program. Later, Dr. Rassi established an exchange program with European and American schools. The complex was renamed the University of Rezaeye in 1977.

After the 1979 Iranian Revolution, the institution was renamed Urmia University. In 1980, the faculty of Medical Science was established. As part of the Iranian Ministry of Health, Urmia University of Medical Sciences detached itself from the main school in 1985. The Faculty of Humanitarian Science was established in 1989 and the Faculty of Engineering in 1990.

Artemia and Aquatic Animals Research Center [2] Archived 8 June 2008 at the Wayback Machine[3] Archived 9 May 2008 at the Wayback Machine(in English)Research activities related to Artemia and the ecosystem of Lake Urmia at Urmia University began with the establishment of the Artemia Research Laboratory in 1373 and then promoted to the Artemia and Aquatic Research Center by Dr. Nasir Agh. With the development of the Center's research activities in various fields and the establishment of new research groups in 2004, the research center was promoted to the Artemia and Aquaculture Research Institute.

MicroElectronics Research Center (MRC) [4] Archived 1 January 2008 at the Wayback Machine In 1996, a research group in the field of microelectronics was formed under the direction of Dr. Kh. A. Hadidi at Urmia University. In 2000, the research group received the license under the title of "Microelectronics Research Center" from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. In 2004, the center was upgraded to the Microelectronics Research Institute.

Urmia MEMS Center (UMC) [5] The center was established in 2004 with the investment of Iran's Industrial Development and Renovation Organization under the direction of Dr. E. Abbaspour. UMC is one of the most advanced technology projects in the country which has been built in an area of 10,000 square meters and with an infrastructure of 2,200 square meters at the city campus of Urmia University, in which the facilities and equipment of a semi-industrial clean room are located.

Biological Sciences Research Center [6] The Biomedical Research Center of Urmia University was established in 2000 with the approval of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Currently, the Institute continues its work in four areas: agricultural biotechnology, cellular and molecular biotechnology, biotechnology, and biotechnology of pharmaceutical and industrial plants.