Dozens of University Professors Dismissed in Iran Over the Past Two Years

According to reports, over 66 university professors have been dismissed, suspended, or forced to resign or retire in the past two years. The Dadban Legal Consultation Center emphasized on Friday, February 9, that following the nationwide protests of 2022, pressure from security institutions on universities and students has significantly increased. Based on the published table, Tehran University and Tehran University of Medical Sciences had the highest record of professor dismissals in the country with 26 professors, followed by Azad University with 14 professors and Mashhad University with 6 professors. In the wake of last year's nationwide protests, which began with the central slogan 'Women, Life, Freedom,' many students joined the protesters, and several university professors supported them. In response, the Islamic Republic government has not only suppressed the protesters and students but has also dismissed many professors who do not align with its policies and those who supported the protests. Previously, the Jam-e Jam newspaper, the press organ of the Islamic Republic's broadcasting organization, referred to universities as 'a breeding ground for opposition' and urged Ibrahim Raisi's government to more decisively expel 'deviant' professors. Earlier, dozens of academic figures outside Iran protested the dismissal of professors, considering this action by the Islamic Republic as a continuation of four decades of pressure and suppression in Iran's educational environments. The Etemad newspaper had previously reported that following the dismissal of tens of thousands of professors from Azad University in the new academic year, 'first or second-term doctoral students' have replaced them. Members of seven scientific associations in the country issued a statement on September 10, warning about 'the widespread dismissal of professors and security confrontations with students,' stating that the gradual and currently accelerating 'dissolution' of the institution of science exacerbates the current disastrous inefficiency of the governing system. The continuation of 'self-purging' in universities; the dismissal of 25 professors from Tehran University in two years focusing on the humanities; continued pressure on professors supporting protesters; Mostafa Azarakhshi, a theology professor at Beheshti University, was dismissed; Hassan Bagherinia, a dismissed professor, stated 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 for 'supporting students' rights.'