First Iranian woman to become full Professor of Mathematics receives honorary degree

The first Iranian women to be appointed Professor of Mathematics and who became a refugee in the US during the Islamic Revolution, received an honorary degree from Heriot-Watt University today (June 19).

Dr Chehrzad 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, Dr Shakiban has been presented with the title of Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science during the summer graduations being held at the Edinburgh campus this week.

After accepting her scroll in front of fellow graduands at the University’s James Watt Centre, Dr Shakiban said: “I express my deepest appreciation to Heriot-Watt University for bestowing upon me this prestigious honour.

"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 was raised in Teheran where she was an undergraduate mathematics student at a time of deep political and social unrest in Iran. Despite this, her talent and hard work earned her a rare opportunity to study at Harvard University under its ‘Special Students’ programme where she obtained her Masters degree.

In 1979, whilst living in the US, she became the first woman from Iran to gain a PhD in mathematics from Brown University. She wrote her thesis at a time when the events following the Islamic Revolution meant that, as a member of the persecuted Bahá’í community, she was unable to return to her home country.

Her PhD was followed with the accolade as Iran's first woman to become a full Professor of Mathematics, which she gained whilst at the University of St Thomas, Minnesota.

She spent most of her career at St Thomas teaching and being part of an innovative overseas study programme.

Dr Shakiban has authored publications on 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 recipient of two prestigious awards from the University of St Thomas for Undergraduate Research and Collaborative Scholarship with Students 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, a further example of her life-long dedication to the service of 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 the country of her birth, as well as the reality of being as 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.”

The Summer graduation ceremonies for 2024 are taking place at the Edinburgh campus between Monday 17 June and Friday 21 June.

A total of 15 ceremonies will be held marking the academic achievement of students from the Edinburgh Business School and the School of Social Sciences, School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences, School of Energy Geoscience Infrastructure and Society, and the School of Textile and Design.