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The organizations that are responsible for the planning of the state higher education system notwithstanding their professional
scope of performance, have not formulated a concrete strategy
for long-term educational planning. This defect has resulted in an ambiguity in the education;'11 trend without a bright outlook and in
a rather sketchy and adhoc treatment of educational planning or decision-making process. The total vacuity of 10ng-tenTI and
strategic planning is quite evident and it is very unlikely to provide a clear picture of the higher educational system at present: and in
future. In view of the need being significantly felt for this purpose, the research paper include:-; an investigation on the higher
educational system which is presented in two parts:
Firstly a conceptual framework for long-term educational
planning which 100111S on the horizon for the year 1400 comprising


criteria, perspectives, prerequisites and challenges. Secondly, an interactive fran1ework which introduces the nature and
characteristics of designing and long-tern1 planning in the state higher educational system. These fran1eworks will provide great
assistance for those who are in charge of long-tern1 policY-making for planning, designing and assessing higher educational
programs.
M. R. Mehregan, Ph.D.
Editor