Dr. Habiba in the Specialized Meeting on Enhancing the Quality of General Physical Education Courses at Universities: "Universities Should Foster Progress and Greater Success for Youth by Improving the Quality of Physical Education Courses"

Dr. Saeed Habiba, Deputy Minister of Science and Head of the Student Affairs Organization, emphasized in a specialized meeting on improving the quality of general physical education courses that universities, by strengthening these courses, can guarantee the health, vitality, and future readiness of young people, transforming sport into a public discourse in society.

The meeting was held with the attendance of Dr. Habiba, Dr. Mohammadi (President of the Physical Education and Sports Sciences Research Institute), Dr. Zarei (Director General of Physical Education at the Student Affairs Organization), along with deans, department heads, and physical education managers from universities nationwide.

Dr. Habiba commemorated Sacred Defense Week and remembered the martyrs, especially university professors, scholars, and commanders of military and law enforcement forces, congratulating the nation’s youth on their success in international wrestling competitions and the start of the new academic year. He stressed this meeting should mark a turning point in attitudes toward physical education courses.

He noted that despite the country's economic challenges, sports play an important role in creating hope and wellness in society and can help improve people's mental health. He underscored universities' crucial role, since sports is one of the few disciplines required across all university majors with at least two course credits, highlighting its importance in Iran’s higher education system. Universities are expected to elevate the quality of physical education courses to pave the way for greater youth advancement and success.

Dr. Habiba emphasized the special status of physical education in Iran’s educational system, stating a maximum benefit must be derived from these courses to instill a health-focused mindset in future generations.

He said the future generation, our children, must receive useful and effective education guided by faculty members, whose role is highly significant and must be fully recognized.

Noting the global emphasis on sports education, he insisted on the need for accurate evaluation of sports program goals and whether they have been met or require new approaches for realization.

He called for reforming and improving sports science education to strengthen the vision of future leaders in sports science and policy to achieve long-term impacts.

With the importance of sports departments across universities, Dr. Habiba urged leveraging existing educational experiences to allow youth to engage in sports sciences with a fresh and impactful perspective.

He highlighted making sports an essential foundational course and transforming the two credits into a widespread discourse on sport and health that permeates homes, offices, and social environments, noting physical health promotes mental health and thus changing attitudes toward these courses is necessary.

He added that students must be equipped with skills that affect individual and family health, considering the meeting as a valuable opportunity to achieve these objectives.

Dr. Habiba stressed the importance of coordination among faculties and sports groups for synergy to achieve sports goals.

He addressed the importance of sport in scientific advancement and social development, stating it can bring significant transformations in various scientific and technological fields.

He emphasized proper planning for sports activities, advocating activating sports in universities and regions nationwide so its benefits are clearly visible. Moving beyond previous policies focused solely on recruiting champions, efforts should now target increasing sports activities in all faculties.

In conclusion, Dr. Habiba expressed hope that through collaboration among researchers, managers, and professors, greater unity in sports will be achieved, ultimately reflecting positively in society.