Dismissed and Suspended Professors Address Pezeshkian: We Have Not Returned to the University

Following claims of the return of all dismissed professors and students to universities, a group of dismissed and suspended professors issued a letter to Pezeshkian stating that they have not returned to the university. These professors, described as 'dismissed, suspended, and forcibly retired,' emphasized in their letter that 'our information regarding the status of colleagues in similar situations indicates that, although actions have been initiated in some cases to review their files, 'most' of them have still not succeeded in returning to the university.' They requested that the Ministry of Science provide information and publish the names of those who have successfully returned to work. This letter was signed by at least 20 university professors from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Hamadan University of Technology, Hakim Sabzevari University, Bahonar University of Kerman, Chamran University of Ahvaz, Iran University of Science and Technology, and several other universities. The letter stressed that the situation of professors who have legal cases due to their academic activities requires 'special attention,' and these cases have often resulted from suspension and dismissal from the university rather than being the cause. This letter was written after Pezeshkian's government claimed that all individuals wishing to continue their collaboration with universities had returned. This claim was also reiterated in an interview with the head of the Islamic Republic government conducted last week with the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting. In this context, the Minister of Health in Pezeshkian's government stated on December 1 that they had followed up on those who had 'forcibly retired' and 'were also willing to return to the university.' However, Mohammad Reza Zafarghandi did not provide any statistics on the professors who had returned to the university, allowing criticisms of Pezeshkian's government regarding the unfulfilled promises to reinstate dismissed professors to persist. Reports indicate that Masoud Pezeshkian stated at the introduction ceremony of the former and new ministers of science that all professors whose contracts had been canceled or who had been dismissed should be reviewed and students should be reinstated. In this regard, the acting head of Tarbiat Modares University announced on November 20 the return of all students and 'problematic professors' of this university, stating that 'this return does not include individuals with definitive legal cases.' Following the death of Mahsa Amini in custody of the 'morality police' and the protests of 'Women, Life, Freedom,' pressure from Islamic Republic officials on students who were at the forefront of the protests, as well as on supporting professors, increased, resulting in many of these professors being suspended, dismissed, or forced into retirement. Several other professors were also sidelined from teaching due to not aligning with the university heads appointed at the beginning of Ebrahim Raisi's presidency. The Health Minister's claim; the return of 300 dismissed students to the university. The brain drain crisis from Iran; 25% of university professors have emigrated. A dismissed professor from Tehran University reported the confirmation of his dismissal. Pezeshkian's promise for the return of dismissed university staff; a group of professors: no effective action has been taken. Widespread dismissal of critical professors from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad and replacement with 'Imam Sadiqi' individuals through the interventions of Alimolhoda.