Dr. Chehrzad Shakiban

Dr. Chehrzad Shakiban, the first Iranian woman to be appointed Professor of Mathematics and who sought refuge in the US during the Islamic Revolution, received an honorary degree from Heriot-Watt University on Wednesday, June 19, 2024.

Dr. Shakiban is a renowned international figure in higher education, teaching, and inspiring generations of mathematicians for over four decades. In recognition of her longstanding commitment to education, she was presented with the title of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science during the summer graduations held at the Edinburgh campus this week.

“I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this esteemed academic community, and I pledge to uphold the values and principles it represents with integrity and dedication,” Dr. Shakiban said.

Raised in Tehran, Dr. Shakiban was an undergraduate mathematics student during a time of deep political and social unrest in Iran. Despite these challenges, her talent and hard work earned her a rare opportunity to study at Harvard University under its ‘Special Students’ programme, where she obtained her Master’s degree.

In 1979, while living in the US, she became the first Iranian woman to earn a PhD in mathematics from Brown University. She wrote her thesis during the tumultuous period following the Islamic Revolution, which prevented her from returning to her home country due to her membership in the persecuted Bahá’í community.

Following her PhD, she achieved the distinction of becoming Iran’s first female full Professor of Mathematics at the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota. She spent most of her career at St. Thomas, teaching and participating in an innovative overseas study programme.

Dr. Shakiban has authored numerous publications in diverse areas of mathematics and engineering and has supervised several grants, including one from the United States National Science Foundation to support underrepresented students in the sciences and engineering. She is also the recipient of two prestigious awards from the University of St. Thomas: the Undergraduate Research and Collaborative Scholarship with Students award in 2005 and the Distinguished Educator Award for mentoring students in 2016. Since retiring, she has been active as a senior fellow in the Centre for Common Good at the University of St. Thomas, exemplifying her lifelong dedication to serving her community.

Beatrice Pelloni, Professor of Mathematics at Heriot-Watt University, who nominated Dr. Shakiban for the honorary degree, said, “Cheri has a deep commitment to inspiring the next generation of mathematicians, to broadening the mathematics community in every way and to promulgate peace, diversity, and interfaith collaboration.

“Her experiences as a refugee and member of a persecuted minority in her birth country, as well as the reality of being a female mathematician at a time when the subject was dominated by men, add poignancy to her passionate commitment to these activities.

“Cheri has been inspirational and utterly original throughout her career, and richly deserves this honour.”

Credit: Heriot-Watt University

Dr Chehrzad Shakiban – Heriot-Watt University (hw.ac.uk)