asteur Institute of Iran (IPI) was founded in the heart of the Iran's capital Tehran in the 1920s to pave the way for advanced research in challenging basic and applied medical sciences. IPI as a leading center of biotechnology in Iran, is governed by a Committee under the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOH & ME), and is also affiliated to Pasteur Institute Paris, France. IPI has close collaboration with international organization like WHO, UNICEF and actively cooperates with other Pasteur Institutes including Paris, Tunisia, Morocco and Greece. The institute has three national sister institutes; Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), National Research Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (NRIGEB), and the Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute (RVSRI). The structure of IPI consists of two different sections: Research and Development (R & D) unit which is located in Tehran and Production unit in the city of Karaj close to Tehran. The R & D unit constitutes of 17 departments, 3 high-tech laboratories and vaccination center, with more than 1000 employees and more than 70 researchers at the doctorate level.

Education Office of IPI (EOPII) started its activities under the Director for Research by Dr. Mehdi Asmar in 1983. It launched short educational programs with topics such as; Biostatistics, Computer Science, Foreign Languages (French and English), Medical Entomology and Clinical Biochemistry for scientific members of the Institute, students and researchers of other Iranian universities.

In the 1980s, biotechnology expanded rapidly with new discoveries and often life-saving products at a breathtaking pace in the world. In 1986 the executive members of IPI decided to establish a Ph.D. program in biotechnology field to meet the needs of the country. Dr. Ahad Milani-Nia the  general director of IPI obtained permission to initiate a Ph.D. program in IPI from MOH & ME. A cutting edge program curriculum was prepared by the most qualified professionals invited from different universities, industries, and governmental laboratories. In 1991, the proposal enacted and legal permission was issued by MOH & ME in order to start the Ph.D. program at the IPI with close collaboration of distinguished centers such as; NRIGEB, RVSRI, Health Faculty of Tehran University & Medical Sciences, Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization, and IROST. The first Ph.D. entry exam was held by MOH & ME and 9 students were selected in 1991. Due to having good educational experience, laboratory facilities, and high standing of IPI among above-mentioned centers, all responsibilities for Ph.D. disciplinary program were given to IPI by MOH & ME in 1998. At present, EOPII is proud to announce its educational shining result with 58 graduated students at the Ph.D. level under Biotechnology (Biological Products).

EOPII has also organized Master of Science in Bacteriology, Medical Microbilogy and accepted more than 28 students since 1993. The other achievement of EOPII is running another Ph.D. course in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology from 2004. EOPII accepted three students through an entry exam.

EOPII was promoted and expanded by several directors during its life including; Dr. Mehdi Asmar, Dr. Parviz Ghadamli, Dr. Masoud Aminzadeh, Dr. Naser Naghdi, Dr. Saieed Bozari, Dr. Sima Rafati   respectively. At present, Dr. Mohammad Ali Shokrgozar is the director.

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