Developments in Iranian higher education and their implications for doctoral education

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impact of major developments in Iran's higher education system and their implications for doctoral education. In all, four major developments __ massification, privatisation, internationalisation, and the coronavirus pandemic __ are investigated, and their impact is analysed. The results indicated that, despite continuing turbulence, doctoral education in Iran has continued much as before because the system has limited flexibility in facing new national and international requirements. In view of the latter, it is argued that there is a need for policymakers to consider revising the nature and goals of doctoral education.