Also available in Persian — نسخه فارسی EN فا
❓ Unknown

Islamic Association of Students at Sharif University Calls for Reinstatement of Dismissed Professors

Feb 3, 2026 February 3, 2026 2 min read 📰 VOA Persian
📋 Key Takeaway

The Islamic Association of Students at Sharif University has called for the reinstatement of dismissed professors, criticizing the ongoing trend of 'purifying' the university. The situation highlights growing discontent among academics and the government's stance on dissent. This matter is significant as it reflects broader tensions in Iranian academia and politics.

🔍 Quick Context Guide
💡 Bottom Line: The dismissal of respected professors and the student response underscores a critical moment for academic freedom in Iran.

👥 Key Players

Islamic Association of Students at Sharif University MENTIONED
Student organization advocating for professors
"Represents student voices and concerns regarding academic freedom and governance in Iranian universities."
Hossein Simayi Sarraf MENTIONED
Minister of Science
"Responsible for higher education policies and the administration of universities in Iran."
Rasul Jalili MENTIONED
President of Sharif University
"Key figure in implementing university policies and addressing faculty dismissals."
Masoud Pezeshkian MENTIONED
Government official and parliament member
"Influential in shaping government policies regarding education and academia."

📰 What Happened

The Islamic Association of Students at Sharif University has called for the reinstatement of dismissed professors, criticizing the university's trend of 'purification' that leads to the loss of qualified academics. This reflects growing discontent among students and faculty regarding academic governance.

  • Professors were dismissed under the pretext of 'purifying' the university.
  • The dismissal of Ali Sharifi Zarachi, a respected professor, has sparked significant criticism.

💡 Why It Matters

🇮🇷 For Iran: The situation highlights tensions between the government and academic institutions, reflecting broader issues of freedom of expression and intellectual discourse in Iran.
🌍 Regional: Potentially influences other universities in the region facing similar governance issues and student activism.
🌐 International: International observers may view this as a reflection of Iran's internal struggles with academic freedom and human rights.

📚 Background

In recent years, Iranian universities have faced increasing government control, leading to the dismissal of professors deemed dissenting or non-conforming. This has sparked protests and calls for reform from students and academics.

Academic freedom in Iran Student activism in Iranian universities
📡 Source: NEUTRAL
📊 Confidence: 70%
The article presents a factual account of events and perspectives from both students and university officials, allowing for a balanced understanding of the situation.

The Islamic Association of Students at Sharif University of Technology has requested the reinstatement of professors dismissed from the university in a letter to Hossein Simayi Sarraf, the new Minister of Science, citing the reason for their dismissal as 'purification of the university.' The letter states, 'The result of this process is the depletion of the country of specialists.' The association emphasized that the dismissal of Ali Sharifi Zarachi, a professor in the Computer Science department, 'despite his reputation' and 'scientific authority' among students and the academic community, indicates that the reason for this decision is nothing but the continuation of the same erroneous trend of 'purifying the university.' The letter declares that such behavior towards professors results in disappointment and frustration among academics. This letter comes at a time when, in September of last year, while protests against the dismissal of dissenting professors from Iranian universities were ongoing, the president of Sharif University claimed that the 'termination of cooperation' with a faculty member was 'legal, is legal, and will be legal.' Rasul Jalili, the president of Sharif University, referred to the reactions to the dismissals as 'hysteria' and 'media pressure,' stating, 'We are not afraid,' and this process will not be influenced by protests. He also emphasized the 'increased seriousness of the university in dealing with disciplinary issues,' regarding the dismissal of Ali Sharifi Zarachi, stating, 'We spent a lot of time on this issue.' Masoud Pezeshkian, who formed the government with the votes of the parliament for his proposed ministers, stated during television programs in the election campaign for the presidency that he opposes the treatment of university professors. The secretary of the Islamic Association of Students at Sharif University remarked: 'The expiration date of the 'reformists' for the people has passed.'

🌐

Translated from the original and edited for English readers. View original source →

Translation confidence: 85%

📰 Related Coverage

⚖️ Independent Platform — Artesh.com is not affiliated with any government, military, or political organization. Editorial Policy →