Islamic Azad University Criticizes Ministry of Science for Removing 2800 Programs

The Director General of Human Resources and Welfare at Islamic Azad University described the removal of 2800 programs by the Ministry of Science as an 'unprofessional and challenging' action. Saeed Alizadeh stated on Wednesday, July 7, to the Fars News Agency that this action by the Ministry of Science is 'in direct contradiction to the policies of the system and has created a sense of job insecurity' among faculty members and staff of Islamic Azad University. He considered the removal of these programs to be 'contrary to the scientific and technological policies issued' by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and 'the law of the Parliament.' According to this official, the removal of 2800 programs will 'create challenges' for Islamic Azad University and that 'a double standard policy has been adopted in the removal of these programs.' He also predicted that the removal of these programs would lead to unemployment for 'a number of the 67,000 part-time and full-time professors and 40,000 staff of Islamic Azad University.' According to the Director General of Human Resources at Islamic Azad University, the university currently has '35,000 staff, 35,000 official faculty members, and 35,000 adjunct faculty members.' Based on reports from various news websites in Iran, the Ministry of Science recently removed '2900 master's programs' from this university that had been authorized. This decision has also resulted in the removal of 'from one to 142 programs in master's degrees across 253 units of Islamic Azad University.' The website 'Afkar News' reported that this decision by the Ministry of Science led to the removal of 'all master's degree specializations' in 'more than 30 university units.' Hossein Ali Hajideligani, a member of Parliament, also commented on this issue, stating that 'if this inappropriate decision is not revoked, we will consider it political and will question the Minister of Science on this matter.' He raised the question: 'Why, now that changes and reforms have been made at Islamic Azad University and Dr. Velayati has prevented abuses, have such actions been taken?' Islamic Azad University has witnessed controversial changes since Ali Akbar Velayati took over as head of the university's board of trustees. Mr. Velayati dismissed Hamid Mirzadeh from the presidency of Islamic Azad University in early May this year and introduced Ali Mohammad Nourian as the caretaker of the university. The dismissal of Mr. Mirzadeh was met with reactions, including from Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and a member of the board of trustees of Islamic Azad University, who wrote a letter to Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, asking him to intervene in the issue of the dismissal of the president of Islamic Azad University and the changes at this university. Hamid Mirzadeh claimed that his dismissal occurred without following legal procedures and voting in a board meeting with all members present. In response, Velayati raised the issue of Mirzadeh's son's involvement in the economic affairs of some university units and the signing of large financial contracts, making accusations against the former president of Islamic Azad University. In reaction to Mr. Velayati's statements, Hamid Mirzadeh issued a statement asking him to publish the documents he claimed. The dismissal of Yasser Hashemi, the youngest son of Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, from the presidency of the board of trustees of Islamic Azad University was also among the developments that made headlines and caused controversy in Iranian media. Yasser Hashemi stated that he wished to continue his activities at Islamic Azad University, as he considers this university to be his father's legacy, but according to him, 'the possibility of continuing cooperation' was not provided.