IHEC (Imam Khomeini Higher Education Center for agriculture) is the oldest and major educational center of the Iranian Ministry of Agriculture.  Located strategically at the outskirt of Karaj city in the newly founded Alborz province, the center have access to most of the important agriculture research institutes, is close to transportation facilities like Tehran-Qazvin-Rasht freeway, international airports and intercity bus terminal, and in accordance with the ideas of its founders in 50 years ago, close to orchards and farms. The center stretched in 102 hectares of agriculture area with good access to water.

Karaj city

Karaj, ‎ pronounced [kæˈɾædʒ]) is a city in and the capital of Karaj County, Alborz Province, Iran. Its population was 1.61 million in the latest 2011 census, making it the fourth-largest city in Iran after Tehran, Mashhad and Isfahan. It is situated 36 km west of Tehran, at the foothills of the Alborz Mountains. The city has effectively become an extension of metropolitan Tehran. Karaj is mostly famous because of its academic and educational complexes along with tourist attractions.

Karaj has traditionally been considered as a tourism area particularly for the people from Tehran. Karaj has a pleasant climate throughout the year. It is famous for its natural attractions. The Alborz Mountains provide a natural beauty to the landscape of Karaj.

Access to research institutes and universities

Karaj city from many years ago has been well known for assembly of scientific bodies of agriculture, among them on can name Sugar Beet Research Institute, soil and water research institute and also organization, seed and tree research institute, animal husbandry research institute and Razi vaccine institute are among many others that are under governance of AREO.  Adding to the above collection, Agriculture and Natural Resources Campuses of Tehran University, provides a splendid resource for academic and experienced faculties. IHEC with a good relationship with the so called research institutes and Tehran University plan and run many different short term and long term workshops and courses around the year. As the research institutes are under governance of AREO, using their facilities and equipment is an exclusive opportunity for IHEC.

A background of international cooperation

Because of a good reputation for an age old history of agriculture education and training in the ministry of agriculture and also ministry of science, research and technology, many of the prestigious guests from foreign countries are referred to IHEC for a visit and negotiation for further cooperation. Among the so called guests we can name his excellency president of Guiney Bissau, her excellency ministry of Science from Zimbabwe,  delegation from Science ministry of Lebanon, Dean of :Nanjing university, china and so on. Also IHEC has the experience of doing Master Degree of Different courses in Natural resources in conjunction with ITC Institute in the Netherlands; Two-month course on plant protection (quarantine) for Afghan experts and One-month course for experts from ECO members (in English).