iiees.ac.ir

Iran, being located between two Arabian and Euro-Asian tectonic plates, has experienced several destructive earthquakes, claimed heavy causalities and serious damage in different periods of its history. The 20th century record of over 130 severe earthquakes indicates the seismicity and vulnerability of this country leaving socio-economic losses and long-lasting effects. Unfortunately, during some of these disastrous events, the invaluable evidences of ancient Persian culture have been destroyed. All the aforementioned facts confirm the crucial necessity on finding a solution to prevent and reduce these effects. Regarding the high seismicity of Iran as well as the vulnerability and high seismic risk of this region, the International Institute of Earthquake Engineering and Seismology (IIEES) was established in November 1989 following the suggestion of 24th UNESCO General Conference and approval of Iranian government "Council of Higher Education Development" based on the investment of Iranian experts in earthquake engineering. In order to realize the IIEES goals and to develop the specialized knowledge in this field, training students are considered as a good asset to the institute. In this regard, IIEES was approved as a "Research Center" at the 408th meeting of "Council of Higher Education Development" in 1999 and accordingly its new doctrine was affirmed in August 2001. Today IIEES is engaged in implementation of national and international projects and has taken effective steps in protecting the lives and properties of human beings in earthquakes with the guidance of all its responsible and qualified researchers. The main goals of IIEES are research and education in all aspects related to seismology, earthquake engineering, disaster risk management and suggesting practical approaches as well as supporting their implementation in order to reduce the risks of earthquakes, and to develop the safety culture against earthquakes in Iran and the region.