TEHRAN -- According to a report by the Women's Participation Center, housewives will be allowed to take home management courses at universities without having to pass the university entrance exam. Dr. Abdolreza Kordi, an advisor of the dean of the Applied Sciences University, said, "Through the serious efforts of the Research and Education Department of the Women's Participation Center, an Associate of Arts (A.A.) course on home management has been established at universities."

He noted that the teaching plan is now being carried out by the Civic Science Faculty and the Education Channel of IRIB.

He added that this plan would help women play a more prominent role in the social and scientific fields and in the family and society.

Kordi said, "It is also expected that women will be able to realize their true social status and that appropriate social, scientific, and managerial opportunities will be provided for them in the Islamic society. "In the process of scientific home management, the woman is not regarded as just a common member of the family. Rather, she is considered to be the planning manager, the family guide, the supervisor, and the evaluator of all social, cultural, economic, and educational affairs."

He went on to say that the plan establishes a proper foundation for increasing gross domestic product and women's participation, noting that women can play an important managerial role in national economic development by helping to effect a change in consumption patterns.

Kordi concluded by saying that the plan has been warmly welcomed by all walks of life in society and that an A.A. degree would be awarded to housewives and others who complete the 36- to 42-month course.