In fulfillment of the wishes of the late Dr. Mahbanoo Tata and utilizing her personal assets, a scholarship has been established at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman to honor and preserve the scientific and cultural legacy of this esteemed scholar.
The university’s Public Relations Office announced that on 13 Aban 1404 (November 4, 2025), Dr. Tata’s family donated a residential apartment in Kerman to the university’s charitable foundation. This donation, in line with the philanthropic intentions of the late Zoroastrian scholar, will generate rental income that is sustainably dedicated to providing scholarships for talented students at the university.
The initiative was facilitated by Dr. Fatemeh Irani, retired professor of the Economics Department at Shahid Bahonar University, representing Dr. Tata’s heirs. In an interview, Dr. Irani reflected on her long-standing friendship with Dr. Tata since 1369 (1990–1991) and explained that part of Dr. Tata’s financial assets—proceeds from a Tehran apartment sale—had been kept in a joint account. In her later years, Dr. Tata arranged for the account to be transferred to Dr. Irani so that, after her passing, the funds could be
Execution of Dr. Mahbanoo Tata’s Will and Establishment of Her Scholarship
During the visit of Dr. Tata’s brother from India to Iran, the matter of implementing her will was discussed with Mr. Dan Tata and his wife. After careful deliberation, the Tata family decided that, given Dr. Tata’s long-standing ties with the people of Kerman and the academic community, her assets should remain in Iran and be used for a charitable purpose. Acknowledging her deep commitment to higher education, the family chose to dedicate these resources to establishing a scholarship at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman. In coordination with members of the university’s charitable foundation and several faculty members, it was decided to purchase a property whose rental income would provide sustainable support for students.
According to the foundation’s resolution, the “Heirs of Dr. Mahbanoo Tata” scholarship will primarily be awarded to students in Statistics and related fields, including Economics, Mathematics, and Sociology, at Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman.
Professor Mahbanu Tata, known as the “Mother of Statistics in Iran” and a distinguished Zoroastrian philanthropist, passed away on 15 Mordad 1402 (August 6, 2023). A member of the Parsi community of India, she immigrated to Iran and lived there for over five decades. Dr. Tata devoted many years to teaching at the university and was actively engaged with Zoroastrian cultural associations and institutions. She generously supported the Zoroastrian community, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, and the Iranian Statistical Society.
