Zanjan — The educational and cultural system of Iran's female seminaries has launched a new phase for the 2026-27 academic year, rolling out initiatives including specialized tracks at the second level, the "Arbaeen of Excellence" orientation program, and expanded online and AI-assisted learning.
Hawzah News Agency- Hojatoleslam Taqi Mahdar, director of the female seminary administration in Zanjan province, outlined the strategic plans in an interview, describing the goal as a "nimble, efficient, and pioneering seminary."
Specialized tracks introduced at Level Two
Announcing the launch of the "specialization of Level Two" plan, Mahdar said it marks the first official nationwide implementation of a strategy to develop new fields and specializations suited to women's needs and social requirements.
Under the plan, approved by the Policy-Making Council (Resolution 385), students will complete 135 credits of general coursework and then, based on academic aptitude assessments, pursue specialized tracks. The approach rests on four pillars: skills-building in teaching, outreach, research, and management; strategic thinking to foster free inquiry for participation in modern Islamic civilization; diversification and updating of course delivery; and academic advancement to ease the path to higher degrees.
'Arbaeen of Excellence' for new students
Mahdar pointed to the "Arbaeen of Excellence" program for incoming students, describing orientation into seminary life as a multi-layered, purposeful process. The program, previously piloted, will be held nationwide across all Level Two schools from October 7 to 22, preparing students for their seminary mission. He expressed hope it will be expanded next year with dedicated content for younger entrants.
Online learning and AI
On expanding virtual education infrastructure, Mahdar said students can follow courses online and offline through the Non-Attendance Education Center. To sit exams, students must complete at least 70 percent of the educational packages, and after completing 70 in-person credits at Level Two or at Level Three, they may switch to non-attendance study.
He also cited in-service "artificial intelligence training" courses for instructors and the use of AI in research as a transformative tool.
From content-based to problem-based learning
Mahdar said the seminary's fundamental changes go beyond methodology. "Our main strategy is moving from a purely content-based system toward problem-oriented and skills-based education, so that a student can build an effective link between religious teachings and the challenges of the modern world."
Emphasizing that "today's battle is a war of narratives," he said today's seminary student must be inquisitive, critical, and capable. "We seek to shift from the 'transmission of knowledge' to 'training problem-identifying jurists,' and to move from one-way lecturing to active dialogue—an approach evident in programs such as the Amin Plan and jihadi field presence."
Four guidelines for preserving seminary identity
Mahdar closed with four strategic recommendations for preserving students' seminary identity: balance between knowledge and ethics through daily engagement with the Quran and Nahj al-Balagha; deepening identity by taking the seminary mission seriously as part of one's existential identity; purposeful presence by combining study with field and social activity; and careful planning with a roadmap for acquiring needed skills.
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