Zeinab Mostafavi | Higher Education | Excellence in Special Education Award

Published on by Top Teachers

Excellence in Special Education Award

Zeinab Mostafavi
University of Tehran, Iran
Zeinab Mostafavi
Affiliation University of Tehran
Country Iran
Google Scholar 00QfKEkAAAAJ
Documents 34
Citations 115
h-index 6
Subject Area Higher Education
Event Top Teachers Awards
ORCID 0000-0002-3465-6054

This article presents the scholarly and professional contributions of Zeinab Mostafavi, faculty member at the University of Tehran, in recognition of the Excellence in Special Education Award conferred by the Top Teachers Awards event. Her work focuses on quality assurance, e‑learning, and higher education leadership, with a strong emphasis on accreditation and digital transformation.[1]

Abstract

This article provides a comprehensive academic profile of Zeinab Mostafavi, highlighting her extensive work in higher education quality assurance, e‑learning, and accreditation. Her research integrates theoretical frameworks and practical tools, including the development of validation checklists for digital universities. The profile underscores her role in policy design, research collaboration, and capacity building within the Iranian higher education system.[2]

Keywords

Higher Education, Quality Assurance, E‑learning, Accreditation, Digital University, Educational Leadership, Iran.

Introduction

The Excellence in Special Education Award recognises individuals who have made significant contributions to the advancement of teaching, learning, and institutional quality. Zeinab Mostafavi’s career spans over a decade of dedicated service to higher education in Iran, with a particular focus on accreditation and quality assurance in electronic and distance education. Her work bridges policy and practice, as evidenced by her consultancy roles at the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and her involvement in the design of national quality assessment indicators.[3]

Research Profile

Zeinab Mostafavi earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Tehran with a thesis on accreditation models for digital universities (GPA 18.18/20, thesis score 19.56). Her research interests include quality assurance, leadership in higher education, accreditation, digital universities, and e‑learning. She has published extensively in Q1 journals such as Higher Education Quarterly and Education and Information Technologies.[4]

Research Contributions

Zeinab Mostafavi has contributed to the development of quality assurance frameworks, including a comprehensive accreditation checklist for e‑learning institutions. She has served as investigator and consultant at the Ministry of Science, where she leads university evaluations using evidence‑based checklists. Her work on the Converging Technologies Research Center (NBIC) at the University of Tehran focused on strategic planning and digital transformation.[5]

  • Design of professional competencies for middle and lower‑level managers (Ministry of Energy, 2024–present)
  • Updating quality assessment indicators for Iranian higher education, with a focus on electronic universities
  • Proposal for the first accreditation body for universities in Iran

Publications

Zeinab Mostafavi has authored 34 documents with 115 citations (h-index 6), including Q1 journal articles on accreditation models for e-learning institutions [3], quality assurance tools [2], and research misconduct in higher education [4].

Recent publications (2025–2026) include:

  • A Checklist for a Comprehensive Accreditation Model for Fully Electronic-Education Higher Education Institutions. Higher Education Quarterly (Q1). https://doi.org/10.1111/hequ.70030
  • Development and Validation of an Accreditation Tool for Assessing the Quality of E-Learning Higher Education Institutions. Education and Information Technologies (Q1). doi:10.1007/s10639-025-13587-5
  • Competencies for Online Teaching Assistants: Integrating Technology, Pedagogy, and Communication Skills. Online Learning Journal (Q1).
  • From Theory to Practice: Real-World Validation of an Internal Quality Assurance Model for Online Higher Education. Education and Information Technologies (Q1).
  • A Qualitative Analysis of the Causes and Consequences of Research Misconduct among early-career Faculty Members. Higher Education Quarterly (Q1).

Research Impact

Zeinab Mostafavi’s work has garnered 115 citations and an h‑index of 6. Her contributions have influenced national accreditation policies and quality assurance practices in Iran. She has participated in the translation of key reference works, including the Encyclopedia of Distance Learning, and has served as a scientific reviewer for multiple journals. Her research on lean higher education and organizational trust has been widely cited.[6]

Award Suitability

The Excellence in Special Education Award recognises sustained excellence in teaching, research, and service. Zeinab Mostafavi exemplifies these criteria through her leadership in quality assurance, her innovative accreditation models, and her commitment to capacity building. She has received multiple honours, including the 2025 Excellence Award in E‑Learning in Iran and acceptance into the National Elite Foundation’s research hubs. Her podcast on accreditation insights further demonstrates her dedication to disseminating knowledge.[7]

Conclusion

Zeinab Mostafavi’s academic and professional trajectory demonstrates a deep engagement with the challenges of quality and equity in higher education. Her research on accreditation, e‑learning, and leadership provides actionable insights for institutions seeking to enhance their educational offerings. Her profile is a testament to the impact of scholarly work on policy and practice in the Iranian context and beyond.[8]

References

  1. University of Tehran. (2025). Faculty profile: Zeinab Mostafavi. University of Tehran. https://ut.ac.ir
  2. Google Scholar. (n.d.): Mostafavi, Zeinab citation profile/ https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=00QfKEkAAAAJ
  3. Mostafavi, Z., & Ramezani, S. G. (2025). Developing and validating a comprehensive scale for accreditation standards and quality assurance in e‑learning institutions. Education and Information Technologies, 30(15), 21139‑21187. doi:10.1007/s10639-025-13587-5
  4. Abili, K., Narenji Thani, F., & Mostafavi, Z. (2018). Assessing the Readiness of the University to Establish the Lean Higher Education (Case Study: University of Tehran). Journal of Industrial Management Perspective, 8(3), 95‑114. https://jimp.sbu.ac.ir/article_87167.html?lang=en
  5. Narenjisani, F., Mirkamali, S. M., Mostafavi, Z., & A’lami, F. (2017). Investigating the factor structure of knowledge sharing, organizational trust and creativity. Educational and Scholastic Studies, 6(1), 9‑40. doi:20.1001.1.2423494.1396.6.1.1.8
  6. Narenji, F., Mostafavi, Z., Ebadi, R., & Uzbashe, A. (2014). Identifying of learning needs of faculty members in online higher education. Educational and Scholastic Studies, 3(3), 29‑53. doi:20.1001.1.2423494.1393.3.3.2.2
  7. Mostafavi, Z. (2025, January 6). Accreditation and Quality Assurance in Higher Education [Podcast episode]. In Top Teachers Insights. Apple Podcasts. https://podcasts.apple.com/…
  8. National Elite Foundation of Iran. (2022). Annual Research-Centered Hubs Program – Accepted researchers. National Elite Foundation.