Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute & International Center for Persian Studies

International Center for Persian Studies (ICPS) International Center for Persian Studies-University of Tehran was established in 1989 as the first Persian teaching institute, following a proposal by Dr. Seyed-Ja’far Shahidi, the then Director of Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute. The project was pursued by his deputy, Dr. Gholam Reza Sotudeh, and was endorsed by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education, to both promote the Persian language and strengthen the Persian Research potentials. Since the Center's establishment until summer of 2018, some 20.111 students from around the world have learned Persian at this Center. At the beginning, the courses were held in only 4 levels which took three and a half months, now they are increased to 8 levels for the Intensive Courses meeting in the morning, 5 levels for the Normal Terms meeting in the afternoon, two levels of Reading and Writing courses and 3 semesters of the Persian Literature & Art. Each year more than 1,000 students from around the world are engaged in learning the Persian language and literature. Goals shared by Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute and the Center, led to the integration of the two centers. Since then the two institutions continued their work under the title of Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute and the International Center for Persian Studies. Dehkhoda Lexicon Institute is the first organization in Iran which as established to compile Persian lexicon in January 1945; almost 30 years after Dehkhoda planned to compile it at his house on Iranshahr Street, Tehran, with the approval of the National Assembly. After Dehkhoda passed away in 1955, the organization was moved next to the Parliament building in Baharestan Square. According to Dehkhoda’s will, Dr. Mohammad Mo’in became the Head of the Organization and other Dehkhoda’s companions, namely Dr. Mohammad Dabir Siaghi and Dr. Mohammad Jafar Shahidi assisted him.