Skip to main content

Author: kangal.naz

2020 Recipient of the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Scholarships.

Ms. Javidnia’s research focuses on the biology of aging. Her work explores the effects of RNA polymerase III on aging by investigating ways to improve health in older individuals, resulting in happier and healthier lives. A graduate of Tehran University, she has published numerous articles and made important discoveries. In addition, she is actively involved in community outreach projects through 15 Billion EBP, an organisation that brings together stakeholders who inspire young professionals to achieve their best.

In 2017 Persia Educational Foundation established the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship in remembrance of the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal in mathematics, the late Stanford Professor, Maryam Mirzakhani. The inaugural scholarship was awarded to Mahtab Farahbakhsh, a Ph.D. student working to help children with visual impairment, followed by last year’s scholarship to Negar Shahrezagamasaei, researching mechanobiology at the UCL Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The Mirzakhani scholarship is GBP 1500. Each year, an independent panel selects the recipient of the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship from among eligible applicants. The results are announced around 3 May, marking the anniversary of the birth of the late Maryam Mirzakhani (3 May 1977 – 14 July 2017). The scholarship is designed to empower Iranian-descent women studying Sciences, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics at UK’s top research university, UCL.

Persia Educational Foundation is a non-governmental UK-registered charity. Its mission is to provide scholarships and educational opportunities to Iranian descent students throughout the UK. To support more students, please contribute to the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship. Please note that 100% of your donations benefit from our Gift Aid scheme and are awarded to support the eligible students at top UK universities.

To find out more and arrange contributions towards the scholarship, please visit us at: https://www.persia.education/donate/ or email us at: info@persia.education.

برنده بورس تحصیلی میرزاخانی بنیاد آموزشی پرشیا اعلان شد

سارا جاویدنیا، یک دانشجوی دکترا در دانشکده علوم ژنتیکی، تکامل و محیط زیست دانشگاه کالج لندن، برنده بورس تحصیلی میرزاخانی درسال تحصیلی ۲۰۲۰-۲۰۲۱ شد.

تحقیقات خانم جاویدنیا در مورد نقش آنزیم آر ان ای پلیمرزا ۳ در افزایش طول عمر و بیماریهای مرتبط با افزایش سن می باشد. خانم جاویدنیا فارغ التحصیل دانشگاه تهران بوده و مقالات جالبی در مورد ا کتشافاتی مهم به چاپ رسانده است. علاوه بر این، وی به طور فعال در پروژه های سازمان 15 میلیارد ای بی پی مشارکت می کند تا ذینفعان مختلفی را با تشویق و ترغیب به بهترین و بالاترین اهداف کاری خود برسانند.

در سال ۲۰۱۷، به مناسبت بزرگداشت ریاضیدان نابغه ایرانی و پروفسوردانشگاه استنفورد، مریم میرزاخانی، (۳ مه ۱۹۷۷ تا ۱۴ ژوئیه ۲۰۱۷)، بنیاد آموزشی پرشیا بورس تحصیلی میرزاخانی را در دانشگاه کالج لندن تاسیس کرد. پروفسور میرزاخانی اولین زنی بود که مدال فیلد، یا مهمترین جایزه در ریاضیات را برنده شد.  این بورس، به منظور کمک به هزینه تحصیلی وحمایت از پیشرفت زنان ایرانی‌تبار که در رشته های علوم، ریاضیات، تکنولوژی و مهندسی در دانشگاه معتبر کالج لندن تحصیل می کنند، مهیا شده است.

در سالهای گذشته این بورسیه به مهتاب فرحبخش ، دانشجوی دکترا که برای کمک به کودکان مبتلا به اختلال بینایی، و سپس به نگار شاه رضا گاماسایی، که درزمینه مکانیکولوژی در مهندسی مکانیک، مشغول به تحقیق میباشند اهدا شده است.

مبلغ این بورس ۱۵۰۰ پوند است. هر ساله یک پنل مستقل دریافت کننده بورس تحصیلی میرزاخانی را از میان متقاضیان واجد شرایط انتخاب می کند. بنیاد آموزشی پرشیا برندگان این بورس تحصیلی را تشویق می‌کند تا به این صندوق پس از فارغ‌التحصیلی و تأمین اشتغال خود کمک کنند تا متقاضیان واجد شرایط دیگرهم از این بورس بهره ببرند.

بنیاد آموزشی پرشیا یک موسسه غیرانتفاعی ثبت شده در انگلستان است. از اهداف بنیاد این است که بورس تحصیلی و فرصت های آموزشی برای کودکان و جوانان ایرانی تباردر سراسر انگلستان ارائه دهد. در این راستا، صد در صد مبالغ اهدایی و اعانه های به بنیاد به بورسیه دانشجویان تعلق میگیرد.

برای اطلاعات بیشتر و حمایت دانشجویان ایرانی در دانشگاههای انگلستان با ما تماس حاصل نمایید:‌

New children’s books

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Education & Training.

From time to time we come across labours of love that make life better for the younger generation. They are expressions of belonging that try to close the gap between native and migrant members of diaspora communities. Some may muse us for a while, others could accompany us for the rest of our lives.

Nazila Fathi’s books on Cyrus and Avicenna are among the latter. Two beautifully written and colourfully illustrated stories for children of Iranian descent, the books give a new meaning to Fathi’s inspiration from Louise Rosenblatt’s insight on the impact of protagonists on understanding our own selves.

Cognisant of the symbiotic relationship between stories and self-development, Fathi wisely chooses to begin this new genre in her writings with two universally respected ancient figures, whose lives and contributions shape contemporary human history.

Hailing from ancient Persia, the tales and triumphs of the king of Babylon and the father of modern medicine are written in an easy-to-grasp language that appeals to both children and their carers. They make for instant immersion in adventures that took place centuries ago. Great reading to enjoy anytime, the books are perhaps best enjoyed at bedtime, when imagination runs wild in young minds and colourful images through the pages of Fathi’s books help them visualise how one day they too will beautify the pages of history.

Written as narratives, Fathi’s books help familiarise children of Iranian descent with the qualities and cultural traits of two outstanding individuals whose good thoughts, words and actions enrich our children’s sense of identity, confidence and belonging. Available in Persian and English, the creative retelling of significant biographies for the young uses interactive tactics to engage the learner in creative ways.

A heartfelt initiative by one Iranian descent mother, Fathi’s books are the ideal Nowruz gifts to beautify any parent’s Haft-Seen table and all children’s libraries.

To find out more visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCyHX9sLPK0

To order your copies visit: My Name Cyrus or Avicenna: Father of Modern Medicine

Persia recognised by Awards for All to advance integration in the UK

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Education & Training.

Persia will be offering a new series of outstanding learn shops, designed for newly-settled Iranians in the UK, especially women, starting in November 2019.

In response to a survey highlighting integration as the top concern among Iranians settling in the UK, the six-part series will assist participants to integrate into the life of the greater society and become protagonists of a culture of prosperity and progress hallmarked by learning.

The learn shops on immigration & integration will offer high-quality training in 21st Century soft skills of:

  1. Consultation and collaboration
  2. Balancing rights with responsibilities
  3. Achieving success in family and societal dynamics and relationships
  4. Interpersonal and intercultural communications

The learn shops will include mentoring, as well as information about education, entrepreneurship, community involvement, and employment opportunities.

Persia Offers Education Workshops

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Education & Training.

Persia’s bespoke Character and Civic Education training is the first education project of its kind to help advance Iranian-British children raised in the UK. The training helps parents and other carers to provide a healthy environment for optimum and holistic development of the next generation. It also provides educators with an opportunity to set up local Character & Civic Education Clubs.

This emerging field in education is of increasing importance throughout the globe, including here in the UK. For more information please see the following report by the National Foundation for Educational Research: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/leading-character-education-in-schools-case-study-report/

Additional resources on this important field are published through Persia’s social media on a regular basis.

For further information or to host a training in your local area please email us at info@persia.education

2019 Recipient of the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Scholarships.

A Ph.D. student at University College London’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Negar Shahrezagamasaei, has been awarded the prestigious 2019-2020 Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship. Her outstanding work at UK’s top research institution focuses on mechanobiology. In addition to her doctoral contributions to vasculogenesis (formation of new blood vessels), Ms. Shahrezagamasaei is a published author. While completing her Master’s degree, she published her first novel. In addition to a second novel, she has co-authored a research paper for an upcoming issue of the Journal of Nature. She hopes to pursue her post-doctoral research at MIT or the Francis Crick Institute here in the UK as part of her work on cancer treatment.

Persia Educational Foundation established the Mirzakhani Scholarship in remembrance of the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal in mathematics, the late Stanford Professor, Maryam Mirzakhani. The inaugural scholarship was awarded last year to Mahtab Farahbakhsh, a Ph.D. student at UCL working to help children with visual impairment.

The Mirzakhani scholarship is GBP 1500. Each year, an independent panel selects the recipient of the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship from among eligible applicants. The results are announced on 3rd May, marking the anniversary of the birth of the late Maryam Mirzakhani (3 May 1977 – 14 July 2017).

A UK-registered charity, Persia Educational Foundation is a non-governmental UK-registered charity. Its mission is to provide scholarships and educational opportunities to Iranian descent students throughout the UK.

Community education workshops

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Education & Training.

The workshop was hosted at Tarbiat School and featured Dr. Nahid Hosseini (Manoto) and Ms. Maryam Keshavarz (Farsophone). The well-attended workshop focussed on raising healthy children, as well as educational opportunities for a successful life in the UK.

We are pleased to offer our next workshops as part of a series of community events designed to improve the education and advancement of Iranians in the UK.

The next workshops will take place on:

  • Saturday, 18 May, at Hafez school
  • 9 June and 7 July in collaboration with Farsophone Association at Tarbiat school

2018 Mirzakhani Scholarship Inaugural Recipient

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Scholarships.

Mahtab Farahbakh, a Ph.D. student at the Child Vision Lab, has been awarded the inaugural Mirzakhani Scholarship for Women in STEM at UK’s top research institution, the prestigious University College London. Ms. Farahbakhsh’s doctoral studies at the Institute of Ophthalmology focus on brain imaging, biomedical engineering, and neuroscience to help children with visual impairment. A top graduate in biomedical engineering, a winner of a neuroscience prize, a volunteer helping children with autism, and an intern at hospitals and neuroscience labs, Ms. Farahbakhsh was chosen by the independent panel to receive this significant scholarship, the first of its kind in Europe.

Persia Educational Foundation established the Mirzakhani Scholarship in remembrance of the first woman to win the prestigious Fields Medal in mathematics, the late Stanford Professor, Maryam Mirzakhani. The inaugural scholarship is offered to women enrolled in STEM studies at University College London, available online here. Each year, an independent panel selects the recipient of the Persia Mirzakhani Scholarship from among eligible applicants. The results are announced on 3rd May, marking the anniversary of the birth of the late Maryam Mirzakhani (3 May 1977 – 14 July 2017).

The Mirzakhani scholarship is GBP 1500. Eligible applicants for the 2019-2020 academic year are required to submit their application to Persia Educational Foundation by 5:00 pm BST on 1 February 2019. The scholarship results will be announced on 3 May 2019.

A UK-registered charity, Persia Educational Foundation advances education in line with Sustainable Development Goals (Agenda 2030), by offering special opportunities for character and civic education, as well as scholarships, awards, and educational resources.

Event Offers Best of Persian Art and Cuisine

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Exhibitions & Presentations.

London – Highlighting the incredible world of Persian taste in food and art, the May 10 Persia Dinner and Discourse will feature the distinguished international scholar, Dr. Sussan Babaie. The Andrew W. Mellon Reader in the Arts of Iran and Islam at the Courtauld Institute of Art will feature elements of her award-winning book Isfahan and Its Palaces: Statecraft, Shi‘ism and the Architecture of Conviviality in Early Modern Iran (Edinburgh University Press, paperback 2018). She will speak about palaces in Isfahan such as the Ali Qapu and the Chehel Sotun, specially designed for royal banqueting and ceremonies of feasting and hospitality. Dr. Babaie will present the intricacies involved in how food and art served as tools for political persuasion in 17th-century Iran. Inspired by ancient habits of Iranian kingship, those Safavid practices defined the characteristics of the religious and political life of modern and contemporary Iran. Her presentation will be followed by a Persian meal and a chance to network and socialize.

Dinner and Discourse Series featuring Women of Excellence is an initiative by Persia Educational Foundation. The series brings those women and men together who aspire for excellence in their fields and display a pioneering spirit in service to their community. The initiative serves as a platform for networking and collaboration.

This public event will take place on Thursday 10 May 2018, starting at 7:00 pm. Each Dinner & Discourse is limited to a select number of diverse participants. The proceeds from sale of tickets will go towards the Persia Scholarship Fund to enable deserving students to pursue their education. Each ticket is GBP 45.00 directly payable to Persia (email for details: info@persia.education) or available through Eventbrite (plus an additional Eventbrite handling fee of GBP 2.50). Each ticket includes three-course gourmet Persian dinner, drinks, and treats. Persia is a UK-registered charity and eligible for Gift Aid.

About the Speaker
Sussan Babaie earned her Ph.D. at the Institute of Fine Arts, NYU, where she focused on the arts of Islam. She held teaching positions in the USA, and Germany prior to her work in the UK and is on the International Advisory Board of Art History.

Her exhibitions have been held at the Sackler Museum of Harvard University, the University of Michigan Museum of Art, and Smith College Museum of Art (1998). While a graduate student fellow at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, she co-curated and co-wrote the catalog of the exhibition ‘Persian Drawings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’ (1989). She has consulted on Persian and Islamic arts with the Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, the Kelsey Museum of Archaeology, the University of Michigan, the Portland Art Museum, Portland, Oregon, and the Detroit Institute of Art.

Her research interests include the early modern Safavid period with topics on urbanism and empire studies, sexuality and social habits of ‘seeing’, and transcultural visuality and notions of exoticism. Her research has been supported by grants from the United States National Endowment for the Humanities, the Fulbright (for research in Egypt and Syria), and the Getty Research Institute in Los Angeles.

Joint Event Highlights Women’s Role in Iran

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Exhibitions & Presentations.

Highlighting women’s dedication to the cause of equality in Iran, London-based organisations, the International Coalition Against Violence in Iran, Kayhan Life, and Persia Educational Foundation; join efforts on Saturday, 3 March 2018.

As Iranian women enter a new phase in advancing equal rights, they face fresh attacks by government authorities. Reminiscent of the 8 March 1979 demonstrations at the outset of new compulsory hejab laws, Iranian women have been taking to the streets of Iran to demand their right to choose. The more than three-decade-long struggle has seen generations of women and girls contribute to the advancement of a process that is drawing attention to some of the critical challenges facing Iranian society. It puts these challenges in the context of a body of state policies and laws that systematically discriminate against millions of all backgrounds in Iran.

It also points to the mistreatment of dual citizens, such as British-Iranian Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe, and policies that limit women’s role in society, often veiled in incendiary justifications to protect the state’s agenda, dubbed as national interests.

Women’s strides in Iran are parallel to international efforts attempting to improve living conditions for all, regardless of any characteristics, including gender. A significant figure facilitating these efforts was of the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights in Iran, the indefatigable lawyer and women’s rights advocate, Asma Jahangir. Ms. Jahangir’s contributions to the women’s movement and human rights energised both those working at the grassroots level as well as those leading the equality movement in Iranian society.

“We want to highlight the positive impact of changes women are making every day,” said Rouhi Shafii, Founder of ICAVI, “and show the interconnected nature of this process among those inside Iran and those residing outside its borders.”

The event will feature a distinguished group of panelists including Drewery Dyke, Roya Kashefi, Natasha Philips, and Richard Rattcliffe, along with special messages from UN Special Rapporteur, Dr. Ahmed Shaheed; and Human Rights Professor, Dr. Naz Ghanea-Hercock.

This public event will take place on Saturday, 3 March 2018 at Fitzroy House. Doors will open at 3:30 pm. The programme is open to registered participants and will begin promptly at 4:00 pm. It will include two panels, a new short documentary film on the women’s movement in Iran, special messages and Q&A followed by refreshments.

This joint event will be made available to a global audience through Facebook Live accompanied by a Thunderclap Campaign.

The London Children’s Book Fair at Parasol unit

Written by kangal.naz on . Posted in Community, Education & Training.

Why promote literacy?

Parasol unit is located in the London Borough of Hackney, an area identified by The National Literacy Trust as having one of the lowest literacy rates in the UK. It is with this in mind that Parasol unit developed the initiative of The London Children’s Book Fair to provide an audience of different backgrounds and ages with an opportunity to find their creative voice and share it with one another. We will build upon the success of last year’s inaugural edition of The London Children’s Book Fair (2016) and expand our outreach throughout London and beyond.

By offering free literary and illustrative workshops, poetry and storytelling sessions, and readings by favourite authors, The London Children’s Book Fair encourages young people and children to engage with literacy, creatively. The multidisciplinary workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to engage with a variety of creative approaches to literacy and to learn from the most innovative and imaginative contemporary publishers, authors and illustrators of books for young people and children. Enter this wonderful world of books – where reading is encouraged, a place where creativity is fostered and one’s imagination is unleashed. Everyone has a story to tell and we are here to listen at The London Children’s Book Fair.

How will the money you donate be used?

The funds gained from your pledges will go towards the costs involved in running the fair, including:

  • supporting free and interactive workshops open to the public throughout the course of the two-day fair.
  • paying artist educators’ fees for running free fringe workshops to local schools in the run-up to the fair.
  • purchasing art materials and equipment required for the free school and public workshops.
  • acquiring the materials needed for decoration.
  • producing the marketing and merchandise to promote the fair (i.e. leaflets, posters and t-shirts).
  • helping support the cost involved with the logistics and operations to make the fair happen.