Continuation of 'Self-Making' in Universities; Dismissal of 25 Professors from Tehran University in Two Years Focused on Humanities

Iranian media has reported the continuation of the series of dismissals of professors, announcing that more than 25 professors have been dismissed from Tehran University alone over the past two years, most of whom are graduates or activists in the humanities. The website 'Khabar Online' has addressed this issue, stating that these dismissals are still ongoing halfway through the academic year. In one of the latest examples, Ahmad Shakarchi, a sociology professor at Shahid Beheshti University, announced in a letter that his contract was not renewed and he was dismissed on February 1, 2024, by the university's executive board. Mohsen Khalili, a professor at Ferdowsi University, also reported his dismissal on February 9, 2024, after 18 years of teaching at the university. The news website 'Khabar Online' emphasized that other cases have been reported in recent months, indicating that the process of dismissing professors continues 'under the radar.' Alireza Maazi, a media activist, reacted to the continuation of such dismissals on social media platform X, writing: 'In the tragic series of dismissals of professors, a generation of the university is being expelled that is the outcome of post-revolution education and critical of post-revolution governance; those who are driven from their homes are graduates or activists in the humanities, concerned about development and advocates of the homeland; it seems that the enemies of development are taking revenge for the scholarship files.' Accordingly, it has been reported that Tehran University and Tehran University of Medical Sciences have 26 dismissals, Allameh University has 5 dismissals, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad has 6 dismissals, Azad University has 14 dismissals, Babol University of Medical Sciences has 2 dismissals, Iran University of Medical Sciences has 3 dismissals, and universities such as Hakim Sabzevari, Tarbiat Modares, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Mazandaran, Shiraz, Gilan, and Sharif Industrial University each had one dismissal in the two years of Ebrahim Raisi's government. The dismissal of professors has sparked reactions from students and criticism from experts, but within the government camp, these dismissals have been normalized and justified. The newspaper 'Jam-e Jam,' the press organ of the Islamic Republic's broadcasting organization, also considered the university a place for producing 'opposition' and emphasized the continuation of 'purges.' The president of Tehran University also claimed on the same day that the termination of cooperation with professors was due to 'ethical issues' rather than political matters. Mohammad Moein, the president of Tehran University, claimed: 'I am fully aware that the continuation of cooperation with some of these individuals has been prevented due to ethical issues and having complainants, but in the media, they claim that their termination of cooperation is due to political issues.' The newspaper 'Jam-e Jam,' affiliated with the Islamic Republic's broadcasting organization, referred to the university as a 'platform for training opposition' and called on the government to more decisively dismiss 'deviant' professors. In recent months, alongside the dismissal of professors, reports have emerged of the recruitment of government-affiliated figures, including Saeed Hadadian, a eulogist close to the 'Leader's House,' Sajad Safar Herandi, son of Mohammad Hossein Safar Herandi, former editor of Kayhan and Minister of Culture in Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government, Amir Hossein Sabati, a presenter on the 'Ofogh' network of state television, and Abbas Mozoun, another presenter from state television, as university professors. The wave of dismissals of professors intensified following the nationwide protests in 2022 in response to the death of Mahsa Amini while in custody of the 'Guidance Patrol' and the role of students and the support of professors. Members of seven scientific associations in the country issued a statement on September 10, warning about 'widespread dismissals of professors and security confrontations with students,' stating that the gradual 'decline' and 'currently accelerating' of the institution of science exacerbates the current dismal inefficiency of the governing system. Continued pressures on supportive professors; Mostafa Azar Khashi, a theology professor at Beheshti University, was dismissed. Beheshti University prohibited the registration of students with disciplinary convictions. Immigration or fleeing from a prison the size of a country; I am fleeing, not immigrating. Mohsen Bagherinia, a dismissed professor, after being summoned to the prosecutor's office: this is 'the decline of the university in the sacred Islamic system.' A theology professor at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad was dismissed after 'supporting students' rights.' Akbar Jafari, a physics professor at Sharif University, resigned following 'summoning' and interrogation. The security atmosphere in educational environments has intensified; 18,000 'revolutionary' students have replaced 'contractual' professors. A professor at a medical university was suspended from teaching due to 'signing' several statements.