The 50-year-old Natural History and Technology Museum of Shiraz University, home to over 8,000 animal, botanical, and geological specimens, is a beloved location for residents of Shiraz. Students from the 1950s to the 1990s have all visited the museum at least once. However, recent years have seen challenges, including an aging building, insufficient funding, and staffing shortages, resulting in falling debris, damaged floors, significant dirt and pollution, and overcrowded displays that obstruct visibility. Fortunately, support from Shiraz University and its management has addressed many of these issues, particularly with flooring, specimen arrangement, and labeling. The museum now presents a clean and appealing atmosphere for visitors, despite some ongoing work.

 

Seyed Mohammad Baqir Rokni, the museum head, told Shahre Mardom that the museum has prioritized quality and compliance with International Council of Museums (ICOM) standards over the past two years. He proudly noted its ICOM membership in 2022 and recognition as a top museum in the "Promotion" category in 2023. Additionally, he shared that the flooring was completely replaced, funded by 2.2 billion tomans—400 million tomans from the Shiraz City Council and the remainder from Shiraz University. The new flooring meets health and safety standards, absorbs sound, and suits the museum's busy environment.

 

Rokni also highlighted a 20 billion toman budget secured for developmental and infrastructural projects during the President's visit to Fars last year, which is expected to be fully allocated in 2024 and 2025. He hopes this funding will be utilized rapidly, with the support of the tourism deputy of Fars Province, to complete the museum of nations and improve other infrastructure within the Natural History Museum.