Categories: Cultural Heritage

Iran to repair historic Dar ul-Funun as tourist attraction: Official

Dar ul-Funun, the first modern institute of higher education in Iran established in 1851 is to be restored; part of the complex will change into a museum of education.

Head of Iran’s Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Organization (ICHHTO) unveiled plans for the restoration of the building of Dar ul-Funun, the first modern university in Iran, to attract tourists to the historic site.

Masoud Soltanifar told reporters in Tehran on Sunday that Dar ul-Funun – Polytechnic – will undergo restoration within the next two years.

He said turning the historic site into a tourist attraction is a top priority.

Part of the complex will also change into a museum of education, Soltanifar said on the sidelines of a ceremony to unveil statue of Amir Kabir, founder of Dar ul-Funun.

Known as the first modern institute of higher education in Iran, Dar ul-Funun was established in Tehran in 1851.

Amir Kabir, a highly respected vizier during the Qajar dynasty, founded the polytechnic to train students in medicine, engineering, military sciences and geology.

Emad Askarieh

Emad Askarieh has worked as a journalist since 2002. The main focus of his work is foreign policy and world diplomacy. He started his career at Iran Front Page Media Group, and is currently serving as the World Editor and the Vice-President for Executive Affairs at the Iran Front Page (IFP) news website.