TEHRAN (PEDC) -- In a commendable showcase of social responsibility initiatives, Pasargad Energy Development Company (PEDC) unveiled its strides in constructing educational facilities spanning 14,000 square meters across underprivileged regions and extending support to children on the autism spectrum.
According to Seyyed Hossein Ghavami, the Communications and Brand Development Director of PEDC, the company, in conjunction with its stakeholders, successfully erected these educational institutions. The primary focus remains on concentrated efforts in the educational sector.
The initial school, occupying 6,000 square meters of land with a built area of 1,200 square meters, stands in Zeynabi Village on Qeshm Island. Ghavami emphasized the building’s intelligent infrastructure, equipped with educational aids, computers, video projectors, and more. This establishment commenced its educational services in the past year, accommodating 450 elementary students in dual shifts.
Furthermore, another school, mirroring the first in dimensions and layout, has been established in Beit Oloumi Village in the Hoveyzeh district, adjacent to the Sepehr and Jufair oil fields. This institution caters to students in two middle school levels and vocational training.
Ghavami highlighted the meticulous social studies and comprehensive needs assessments carried out before entering each region. In the case of Hoveyzeh, due to the area's demand for specialized workforce skills and the scarcity of certain expertise, decision-makers determined that students should engage in both middle school education and vocational training.
The strategic collaboration with educational authorities in Hoveyzeh paved the way for launching the region's inaugural vocational school for precision instruments. This visionary step aims to equip indigenous students with essential skills, as these instrument tools constitute expensive workshop equipment, lacking a central training hub in the area.
Moreover, Ghavami disclosed that around 90 students have already enrolled in the Pasargad High School in Beit Oloumi Village, Hoveyzeh, with an official inauguration ceremony scheduled soon.
Notably, the educational institutions built by the Pasargad Energy Development Company aren't merely structural projects. Ghavami stressed that alongside classrooms, these schools feature auxiliary amenities such as assembly halls, workshops, libraries, laboratories, and sports grounds, including an artificial turf football field for Qeshm and a basketball court for Hoveyzeh.
Regarding their ongoing project in Ardebil, Ghavami indicated the ongoing construction of a multi-purpose arts center spanning 11,000 square meters, intended to facilitate education across all academic levels. Further details on this endeavor will be released in due course.
Continuing support after constructing each school remains integral to the company's strategy, Mr. Ghavami went on to add.
Beyond infrastructure development, Ghavami emphasized a serious commitment to educational assistance. For instance, after constructing the Qeshm school, a specialized professional team conducted multiple training sessions for not only the school's staff but also all primary school teachers on Qeshm Island. This aimed to familiarize them with innovative teaching methodologies to enhance student learning experiences.
Ghavami highlighted a pivotal aspect of PEDC’s school-building approach—nurturing future engineers and specialists within these educational institutes. Their strategy involves providing scholarships to students attending these schools, aiming to cultivate specialized individuals who can later contribute to projects employing these graduates' skills and knowledge.
Supporting Autistic Children
Beyond educational endeavors, Ghavami also touched upon PEDC’s activities in supporting children with autism.
Over recent years, in collaboration with the Autism Society of Iran, the energy conglomerate has sponsored the rehabilitation of 150 children aged 3 to 7 with autism spectrum disorder in Khuzestan (southern Iran) and Sistan and Baluchestan provinces (southeast of the country).
These efforts encompass occupational therapy, speech therapy, play therapy, and more, enabling some children to integrate into mainstream schools’ post-rehabilitation, he said.
He further highlighted the establishment of rehabilitation centers dedicated to children on the autism spectrum.
During the 27th International Oil, Gas, and Petrochemical Exhibition in Tehran, paintings depicting Sepehr and Jufair oil fields were auctioned by several companies, yielding a charitable sum of 14,550 million tomans (≈ US$3.1 billion) to support new rehabilitation centers.
In a pioneering step, PEDC is spearheading the establishment of Iran's first comprehensive autism center on the Tehran-Karaj highway. This facility aims to provide comprehensive services for individuals with autism and is currently in the initial stages of development.
To conclude, Ghavami underscored additional initiatives aligned with PEDC’s social responsibilities, including planting 5,000 seedlings of the Harra tree on the northern side of Qeshm Island, donating stationery to students, and providing water supply to certain villages in Sistan and Baluchestan province.
These initiatives reflect the company's dedication to social upliftment and sustainable development.