History & Overview of SHMU

Shahroud University of Medical Sciences (SHMU) is a distinguished public institution of higher education located in Shahroud, Iran. The University was originally established in 1971 as a higher education center and subsequently evolved into the School of Nursing and Midwifery in 1992. In recognition of its expanding academic and healthcare capacities, it was officially granted full university status in 2007.

Operating under governmental support and within the national health education framework, SHMU has developed into a dynamic academic and research institution. The University has fostered a strong culture of scientific inquiry, with more than 10,000 internally and externally funded research projects conducted by faculty members, researchers, and students. This robust research portfolio reflects SHMU’s sustained commitment to advancing medical knowledge, innovation, and community health.

Academic Structure and Institutional Capacity

SHMU comprises four academic schools:

  • School of Medicine

  • School of Nursing and Midwifery

  • School of Allied Medical Sciences

  • School of Public Health

The University currently enrolls over 2,353 students across undergraduate, master's, PhD, and Professional Doctorate in Medicine (MD) programs. Academic and research activities are supported by 171 full-time faculty members and academic staff, whose expertise spans diverse disciplines within the health sciences.

Over the years, SHMU has graduated a significant number of healthcare professionals, including specialists in Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programs and General Medicine (MD), contributing meaningfully to regional and national healthcare systems.

Vision

To emerge as a pioneering and benchmark-setting academic institution recognized for excellence in education, research, technology development, innovation, and knowledge translation at both national and regional levels, while actively advancing internationalization and progressing toward the model of a third-generation university.

Mission

SHMU is committed to fulfilling a comprehensive mission centered on education, research, healthcare delivery, and societal advancement:

Excellence in Healthcare Services
Delivering high-quality healthcare services aligned with recognized national and international standards.

Strategic Global Engagement
Advancing international collaboration and fulfilling national responsibilities through effective governance and alignment with the standards of third- and fourth-generation universities.

Knowledge Translation and Impact
Transforming research findings into practical applications that strengthen the health sector and improve public well-being.

Human Capital Development
Educating competent, ethical, skilled, and dedicated professionals capable of sustaining and enhancing community health.

Public Health Protection
Promoting and safeguarding food and drug safety to ensure public health security.

Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Encouraging research excellence, knowledge production, technological innovation, indigenous capacity-building, and entrepreneurship to foster sustainable development and societal well-being.

Core Values

SHMU upholds a strong framework of ethical, professional, and academic values that guide its institutional culture and strategic direction:

Ethical Commitment and Respect for Human Dignity
Commitment to the highest standards of professional ethics across education, research, healthcare services, and administration, while honoring the intrinsic dignity of every individual.

Social Responsibility and Equity
Dedication to social justice and equitable access to healthcare services, with thoughtful integration of socio-cultural contexts into educational and research frameworks where appropriate.

Academic Excellence and Innovation
Promotion of teamwork, creativity, intellectual independence, and knowledge-based initiatives to address complex academic and societal challenges.

Integrity and Transparency
Maintaining integrity in all scholarly endeavors and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance and institutional operations.