History

The foundation of the University of Tehran’s College of Agriculture & Natural Resources (UTCAN) goes back to year 1923 when it was established under the title of "School of Higher Agricultural Studies, Rural Handicrafts & Industries". The School, after two decades of activities in the field of agriculture, was changed into The ten departments of the Faculty of Agriculture provide an opportunity to admit students in 54 majors and 66 specializations in undergraduate and graduate programs in the areas of Agricultural Sciences & Engineering. In 1963, a new institute named "The Institute of Forests & Rangelands" was student admission took place in the same year through an entrance exam. In 1972, the Faculty was renamed to the "Faculty of Natural Resources" having four departments in 23 majors and 5 specializations in both undergraduate and graduate programs.
In 2004, the two former faculties of "Agriculture" and "Natural Resources" joined hands to establish the “College of Agriculture and Natural Resources", in the City of Karaj (30 kilometers from the Capital Tehran), composed of four faculties and one research center. Currently, the College stands with a high reputation both in the country and abroad due to its scope, precedence, eminent and well experienced faculty members and staff; its Centers of Excellence; and the top students studying at the College. State of the art services and mutual cooperation and research with State-owned and private organizations and institutions along with well equipped laboratories, and the diversity of the fields of study have added to the credibility of this institute of higher education.
The College with over 200 outstanding faculty members offers BSc, MSc and PhD programs. Students are admitted to 148 majors and specialization programs through the National University Entrance Examination to pursue their studies in the four faculties with 14 departments, one “Desert International Research Center” and one “Research Department on Agricultural Biotechnology” acting as an interdisciplinary department. More than 3,500 students are currently enrolled in the College from whom about 45% are graduate students. The College publishes 11 scientific journals covering various subjects in the fields of Agriculture and  Natural Resources.