The University of Applied Science and Technology has initiated joint cooperation with Kerman Automotive Industries to train specialized human resources required by the company’s factories.
A joint meeting between Dr. Mohammad Ali Akbari, President of the University of Applied Science and Technology, and Engineer Mohammad Reza Shahbakhsh, CEO of Kerman Automotive Industries, was held on the morning of Saturday, August 30, 2025 (1404/6/8), with the aim of empowering human resources, developing practical skills, and implementing hands-on training within the company’s factories.
During the meeting, Dr. Ali Akbari stated: “The University of Applied Science and Technology has strived to be a pioneer in a major national movement. By training skilled and specialized personnel and recognizing the importance of work, skill acquisition, and entrepreneurship in the higher education system, the university—known as a skill-generating institution—has linked theory with practice and science with application, producing graduates who serve as models for promoting self-confidence in society.”
He added: “In addition to training skilled professionals, the university fosters an entrepreneurial mindset among students and guides them toward employment.”
He identified one of the university’s advantages as the rapid development of new programs and disciplines, stating: “Thanks to the university’s curriculum planning council, programs can be designed and approved in a short time to quickly respond to labor market needs. This reflects the agility, dynamism, and flexibility of the University of Applied Science and Technology.”
The university president continued: “Another feature of this university is its ability to create value aligned with its unique mission in higher education, including the rapid development of single-course and modular syllabi, and the certification of occupational and professional qualifications for employees of various organizations.”
Dr. Ali Akbari emphasized: “The current Arg-e Jadid Applied Science Training Center, once transformed into a major automotive training hub, should become a national model. To achieve this, the University of Applied Science and Technology is fully committed to supporting the vocational education system of Kerman Automotive Industries with all its potential.”
He further stated: “Given the exceptional infrastructure of Kerman Automotive Industries, the existing center is expected to evolve into an international training hub, capable of delivering automotive education in Iran and neighboring Gulf countries. For the group’s R&D division to reach commercialization and delivery, education must move beyond theory and be integrated with practice.”
Vocational training provided by the University of Applied Science and Technology has met the needs of Kerman Automotive Industries Group.
Engineer Mohammad Reza Shahbakhsh, CEO of Kerman Automotive Industries Group, also stated during the meeting:
“Kerman Automotive Industries Group specializes in vehicles and components, comprising companies such as Kerman Motor, Arman Motor Arg, Bam Services and Trade, Kerman Khodro Powertrain, Mehr Khodro, Arman Electric Arg, the commercial vehicle manufacturing plant Karmania, the electric vehicle manufacturing plant, and the Bam Automotive Company (BAC). Established in 1990 (1369), the group was founded to create investment advantages for the private sector in Iran’s automotive industry, becoming the first private car manufacturer in eastern Kerman Province.”
The CEO added: “We are the largest private car manufacturer in the country, employing over 20,000 people in the region. We consistently produce more than 200,000 vehicles annually, and this figure is expected to reach 500,000 vehicles per year by 2026 (1405).”
Shahbakhsh emphasized: “There are 30 special economic zones in the country, but only in Arg-e Jadid Special Economic Zone in Bam is automotive production, assembly, and component manufacturing carried out professionally. One of the largest car manufacturing plants with foreign partnerships has been established in this region.”
He continued: “One of the key features of this zone, unlike others, is its private ownership. All infrastructure has been developed by the private sector. In the first phase, over 2,300 hectares have been paved, landscaped, and equipped with water, electricity, gas, essential utilities, and an airport. In addition to industrial infrastructure, we have developed around 1,000 hectares of tourism and recreational facilities. One of my major concerns is human resource training, which is now being addressed with greater quality thanks to the university’s new management team.”
Engineer Shahbakhsh stated: “With the establishment of the Arg-e Jadid Applied Science Training Center, the university’s vocational training has fulfilled the needs of Kerman Automotive Industries Group. This is a valuable opportunity for skill development and empowerment of local and national students.”
He added: “The Arg-e Jadid Training Center was created under the umbrella of Kerman Automotive Industries Group. Our goal in establishing it is to energize the field of higher vocational education so that skilled and specialized personnel can be trained to meet the group’s needs, while current employees also receive skill upgrades.”
The CEO concluded: “Kerman Khodro Industrial Group’s strategic approach to developing vocational education has been highlighted in the province’s development activation plan titled ‘Kerman Barfaraz’, with a significant portion dedicated to employee skill training. All necessary facilities for expanding the activities of the Applied Science Training Center have been provided, and the group is ready—with the university’s support—to become one of the country’s key hubs for vocational training in the automotive industry.”
