General

The Research and Development Center for Biotechnology (RDCB), affiliated with Tarbiat Modares University, which is briefly called "the Center" in this Statute, on the basis of the license dated December 15, 2007 of the Council for the Development of Higher Education was established and will be managed in accordance with the provisions of this Statute in order to fulfill some of the research tasks and to help meet the countrys research needs in the field of biotechnology.

Article 1 Objectives

• Development of research in various fields of biotechnology
• Creating a suitable field for promoting biotechnology research activities
• Collaboration with research and educational institutions of the country in order to improve the quality of research and educational activities
• Providing opportunities for international researchers in the field of biotechnology
• Achieving Biotechnology Applications
• Provide the possibility of developing private sector activities in the field of biotechnology

  Article 2 - Place of activity

The location of the center is in Tarbiat Modares University in Tehran. The establishment of a branch with the approval of relevant centers is possible.

  Article 3 - Duties

The tasks of the center, which are done in the light of the above objectives in the field of biotechnology, are:

• Investigating and identifying research needs in the field of biotechnology
• Conducting research projects in the field of biotechnology
• Conducting basic, applied and development research projects
• Implementation of applied projects to achieve the objectives of production of Semi-Industrial products by attracting investments and participation of the Private Sector
• Providing the possibility of implementing national and trans-national projects and establishing international relations within the framework of the laws and regulations of the country
• Providing the necessary ground for short-term training activities and studying opportunities, educational-research projects, and familiarization with new technologies in the field of biotechnology for faculty members, graduate and post-graduate students, and qualified applicants of the private sector
• Coordinating all facilities of Tarbiat Modarres University in the field of biotechnology
• Identifying and introducing applied research fields in the field of biotechnology and encouraging and attracting private sector participation in order to increase the countrys research and development capacity in this field

Article 4 - People in charge

• Board of Trustees
• Strategic Guidance Council
• Chairman
• Research Council
• Specialized groups

Article 5 - Board of trustees

The Central Board of Trustees, in terms of association and duties, is subject to the rules set out in the Law on the Establishment of Board of Trustees of Universities and Institutes of Higher Education and Research, approved by the Supreme Council 181 and 183 of the Cultural Revolutionary Supreme Council, and with regard to the Centers affiliation with Tarbiat Modares University, the board of trustees are the same as the university board.

Article 6 - Functions and powers of the board of trustees

• Drafting and ratifying the internal regulations of the board of trustees
• Approval of the organization and the administrative department of the Center in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations
• Review and approval of the central budget proposed by the Strategic Guidance Board and the Chancellor of the university
• Review and approval of the annual report of the Head of the Center after approval by the Strategic Guidance Council

Article 7 - Strategic Guidance Council of The Center

In order to guide and plan the scientific activities of the Center, the Council shall consist of the following persons.

• Chancellor of Tarbiat Modares University (Chancellor)
• Research Deputy of Tarbiat Modares University (vice chairman)
• Chancellor of the center (secretary)
• Technology Deputy of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology
• Deputy Head of Research & Technology Ministry of Health and Medical Education
• Deputy Director of Research and Development of the Ministry of Industry and Mines
• Deputy Director of the Ministry of Jihad-e-Agriculture
• Four to six prominent personalities in the field of biotechnology

Note 1: Members of Section 8 are nominated with the recommendation of the Chancellor of the Tarbiat Modarres University and the decree of the Minister of Science, Research and Technology for a period of four years.

Note 2: The sentences of paragraphs 4 to 7 of the Members are issued by the Minister of Science, Research and Technology for a period of four years.

Article 8 - Duties and powers of the Strategic Guidance Council

• Drafting and approval of the internal regulations of the Council
• Proposal to create and change the scientific and administrative organization of the center
• Reviewing the budget proposed by the head of the center and approving and proposing it to the board of trustees
• Reviewing and evaluating annual activities and approving future programs
• Review the annual report and approve and submit it to the Board of trustees
• Review and approve proposals by the head of the center regarding research projects, how to communicate with relevant agencies and ministries, and national and international centers.
• Reviewing and approving strategies and creating opportunities to support the activities of the Center

Article 9 - Head of the Center

The head of the center, who is the legal representative of the center at the real and legal authorities, is appointed from the faculty members by the Chancellor of the university.

Article 10 - Duties and powers of the Head of the Center

• Management, guidance and supervision of the affairs of the Center within the framework of the Statute, Rules, Regulations and Decisions of the Board of Trustees
• Proposing to make changes in the organization of the center to the Strategic Guidance Board
• Proposing of the appointment of central authorities on the basis of the approved organization
• Signing of contracts and financial and administrative documents in accordance with the terms and conditions approved
• Adjustment and proposal of the annual and detailed budget to the Strategic Guidance Board
• Adjustment and proposal of the annual and five-year program to the Strategic Guidance Council
• Sending the centers proceedings to the university Chancellor
• Presentation of the annual performance report of the Center to the Strategic Guidance Board
• Formation of councils within the scope of university regulations

Article 11 - Research Council

The composition of the council is:

• Head of the Center (Head of the Council)
• Center deputy research director (council secretary)
• Heads of research groups
• Two to five faculty members

Note 3: Members of Clause 4 will preferably be selected from members of the University Biotechnology Council and at least two from scholars and experts outside the Center.

Article 12 - Duties and activities of the Research Council

• Approve research plans and programs within the framework of the approved program
• Supervising the quality of research projects
• Supervising publication of research journals
• Evaluating the equipment, publications and research needs
• Establishing the centers policy for scientific communication with other domestic and foreign scientific centers within the scope of the rules and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran within the framework of the approved program
• Evaluating the results of research activities
• Review and approval of short and long-term scientific trips
• Investigate strategies for attracting private sector participation in research and development activities

Article 13 - scientific groups

The center has six scientific groups including members from:

• Department of Medical Biotechnology
• Department of Industrial Biotechnology
• Department of Basic Biotechnology
• Department of Agricultural Biotechnology
• Department of Law and Ethics in Biotechnology
• Department of Information in Biotechnology

Note 4: Any changes in the number and type of groups are possible by the approval of the relevant authorities.

Article 14 - Task of the group

• Review, define and formulate priority projects for submission to the Research Council of the Center
• Preparation and formulation of group programs to present to the research council of the center
• Implementation of research projects and programs approved by the research council of the center

Article 15

The Center is subject to financial regulations and transactions of universities and research institutes affiliated to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Article 16

The members of the faculty are subject to the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran in terms of employment regulations and the manner of selection (scientific and general).

Article 17

The center is independent and administratively affiliated with Tarbiat Modarres University.

Article 18

The space, facilities and equipment of the center should be in accordance with the standards of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Article 19

The Center is subject to all laws and regulations adopted by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and other laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Article 20 - Dissolution of the institution

The Center will be dissolved following the approval of the Council for the Development of Higher Education:

• At the suggestion of the board of trustees of the university
• In case of violation of the provisions of the statutes, decrees and regulations of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and other laws and regulations of the Islamic Republic of Iran

Article 21

Upon the initial approval of the Council for the Development of Higher Education with the dissolution of the Center a dissolving group consisting of the legal representative of the ministry of science, research and technology, the legal representative of the university and the chairman of the center will be responsible for dissolving the center.

Article 22

Under the supervision of the dissolving group, the center is obliged to follow these steps:

• Make all commitments to the ministries, government agencies, public non-governmental organizations, banks, municipalities, international organizations, other legal entities (including faculty members and their employees), or the university agrees with the owners of the right to meet the obligations of the Center.
• Return all privileges and finances from the international, public and governmental sources, banks and municipalities, etc. provided to the Center, or to provide the consent of the right holders to transfer the concessions and property to the Center.

Article 23

After the implementation of the obligations set forth in Article 20 and the settlement of research and legal affairs and the final approval dissolution of the Center by the Council for the Development of Higher Education, and the full payment of the debts, the remaining assets of the Center will be transferred to Tarbiat Modaress University.

Note 5:The dissolving group is required to submit a copy of the Supreme Assembly, which will be signed by all members of the Board, to the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and another copy to the Board of Trustees of the University.

Article 24

Items not provided for in this Statute are subject to the rules and regulations of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Article 25

Any changes to the provisions of this Statute are possible with the proposal of the Board of Trustees of the Center and the approval of the Council for the Development of Higher Education.

Article 26

This statute, which contains 26 articles and 5 notes, was approved on …….. by Council for the Development of Higher Education and is due to come into force on the date of its adoption.