Donation of approximately 600 fossil specimens to Lorestan University and planning for the establishment of a Paleobiology Department

With the support of the Research and Technology Vice-Presidency of Lorestan University, in line with the development of educational and research infrastructures and the strengthening of Lorestan University's scientific collections, Eng. Hooshang Dashtban, a paleontology specialist and retiree of the Ministry of Petroleum, facilitated the donation of a collection of approximately 600 fossil specimens to Lorestan University during a multi-day visit to Khorramabad. This collection is intended to enrich the university's scientific resources and provide the foundation for establishing a Paleobiology section within the Zoology Museum of Lorestan University.

According to the Public Relations of Lorestan University, this program was carried out with the direct support of the University's Board of Trustees and the coordination and planning of the Research and Technology Vice-Presidency, under the management of Dr. Hossein Hatami.

The financial and executive support of the Vice-Presidency and the cooperation of the relevant units, including the university's research procurement office, Mojtaba Moradi, played an effective role in preparing the groundwork and advancing the programs for this visit.

This collaboration demonstrates attention to the development of scientific and research capacities and support for programs that can lead to the enhancement of educational facilities and the expansion of the university's specialized activities.

Following this program, the Zoology Museum of Lorestan University, managed by Dr. Ali Gholamifard, as one of the subordinate units of the Research and Technology Vice-Presidency, participated in coordinating and following up on activities related to the donated collection and planning for its scientific and educational utilization.

Furthermore, initial scientific coordination and the introduction of Eng. Dashtban were facilitated in collaboration with Dr. Iraj Maghfoori Moghaddam, Head of the Geology Department of the University, and Eng. Mohammad Reza Tabarzadi, a PhD student in Geology at Lorestan University.

The donated collection is the result of years of collecting fossil specimens from various regions of Iran.

Lorestan University is the twelfth university in the country to which Eng. Dashtban has donated a collection of his fossil specimens; he has previously donated collections to 11 other universities in the country.

The utilization of this collection can provide new opportunities for practical education, the study of fossil specimens, and the development of research activities in the fields of paleontology and paleobiology at Lorestan University.

During this visit, Eng. Dashtban inspected the university's Geology Laboratory and its existing fossil collection, and confirmed the previous identifications of the specimens.

Additionally, in a field program accompanied by Dr. Mostafa Sedaghatnia and Dr. Ahmad Valipour, experts from the Central Laboratory of Lorestan University, some areas of the province, including Noorabad (Delfan), were visited with the aim of assessing existing capacities for identifying fossil specimens.

Another program during this visit was a specialized meeting attended by the Vice-President for Research and Technology of Lorestan University (Dr. Hossein Hatami), the Head of the Geology Department of Lorestan University, and the directors of the General Department of Environmental Protection of the province.

This meeting was held with the objective of developing scientific interactions between the university and executive bodies, identifying areas of joint cooperation, and strengthening the scientific and research capacities of the province in the field of paleontology and related studies.

The follow-up of these communications is conducted within the framework of the university's industry relations management mission, under the responsibility of Dr. Morteza Ghobadi.

In this meeting, both parties emphasized the necessity of continuing scientific communication and creating grounds for sustained cooperation between Lorestan University and the General Department of Environmental Protection of the province.

The utilization of specialized and field capacities, the exchange of knowledge and experience, and the exploration of possibilities for implementing joint scientific and research programs were among the key aspects considered in these interactions; an approach that can play an effective role in identifying and documenting the natural capacities of the province and strengthening the scientific foundation of related activities.

The establishment of a Paleobiology section in the Zoology Museum of Lorestan University, relying on the donated collection and the gradual development of related scientific resources, will be a step towards linking museum and laboratory capacities with university education and specialized research.

This initiative can also provide a platform for greater familiarity of students and researchers with fossil specimens and expand scientific collaborations among the university, specialists, and executive bodies.

Dr. Hossein Hatami, Vice-President for Research and Technology of Lorestan University, while appreciating the scientific and valuable action of Eng. Hooshang Dashtban and the support of the University's Board of Trustees and participating units, emphasized the importance of synergy among different university departments and the utilization of the country's specialists' capacities in developing educational and research infrastructures.

Dr. Hatami stated: "The continuation of such collaborations can pave the way for strengthening the university's scientific standing and developing specialized studies related to the natural and geological heritage of the country."