Iran starts exams for nanotechnology teachers

The first examination to evaluate applicants' capability to teach nanotechnology was held at Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council last week. Participants in the exam included teachers and promoters from promotional and educational nanotechnology companies from across the country. In this examination, the scientific capability and skills of the participants in transferring the concepts of nanoscience and technology were evaluated. Participants who acquire the required grade in the two scientific and educational indices will obtain teaching certificate in three levels of "Trainer Level A", "Trainer Level B", and "Trainer Level C" from Promotion Workgroup of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council. Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council has been granting the organizers of scientific and promotional nanotechnology seminars at university and schools as financial support since 2005. According to the supportive regulations of Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council, only students at higher education (MSc and PhD) levels whose theses are related to nanotechnology can receive the supports. In the near future, people who acquire the teaching certificate can benefit from the supports too. It must be pointed out that the organization of this examination and efforts to improve the scientific level of nanotechnology teachers have been designed and executed based on the suggestion of some companies active in the field of nanotechnology education.