Journey Tehran and Karaj 08/06

German Embassy Tehran

From August 14th until 16th 2006 a German delegation led by Prof Schäfer of Technische Universität Berlin (TU Berlin) as well as Mr Buckram and Mr Jahn of the Vocational Training Institute (BFW) of the Construction Industry Association of Berlin-Brandenburg travelled to Tehran to hold talks on qualification as one of the Strategic Dimensions of the Project. The durability and sustainability of infrastructure and buildings including their resistance against earthquakes is closely linked with the qualification of the involved construction workers. The Project aims at addressing this significant potential for change.

Technical and Vocational Training Organisation in Tehran

The negotiations started off with a meeting at the German embassy in Tehran followed by talks at the Building and Housing Research Center (BHRC) between the main Iranian Project partners BHRC and New Towns Development Corporation (NTDC) and the German delegation in preparation of the qualification issues. These were discussed with the Technical and Training Vice-President of the Technical and Vocational Training Organisation (TVTO), Mr Baygee, in the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The TVTO is the responsible organisation for vocational training and the qualification of trainers in all professions in Iran. All partners in the negotiations expressed their strong interest in elaborating joint activities for vocational training as well as qualification in the construction sector. The negotiations were deepened on a study visit to the Instructor Training Center in Karaj, the largest training facility of the TVTO. The interest in joint activities found additional support by the Vice-Minister for Housing and Building, Mr Khajeh Dalooi, who received a delegation of the Project.

TVTO Training Centre in Karaj

All partners are set to prepare vocational training as well as qualification measures in context of the Project. These measures are related to the ongoing Pilot Projects in Hashtgerd New Town and shall be implemented from 2007. The partners to be involved in the activities include BHRC, NTDC, and TVTO on the Iranian side and TU Berlin and BFW on the German side. Support for the activities comes from the GTZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit Tehran office led by Prof Saidi, who facilitated the meetings and negotiations. The partners are set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the intended activities.

Prof Schäfer, Prof Saidi and Mr Majedi in Karaj

In parallel to the Young Cities delegation another delegation of TU Berlin held negotiations on the project "Middle Eastern North African Sustainable Habitat Development Association" (MENASHDA). Partners in the negotiations included Shahid Beheshti University, Sharif University, Center for Architecture and Urban Studies and Research, Hamyaran NGO Resource Center, and Tar-va-memary Architects and Planners etc. The Young Cities Project was also presented to these institutions and discussed as an example for prospective research projects to arise from the MENASHDA network.