Medicalian's Promise for the Return of Expelled Academics; Group of Professors: No Effective Action Taken

A group of expelled professors from Iranian universities wrote a letter to Masoud Medicalian stating that despite his claims, no practical steps have been taken for the return of expelled professors to universities. According to 'Shabakeh Shargh', these professors wrote to the President of the 14th government: 'Despite your recent order to the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology regarding the return and continuation of work for professors and students who have been unjustly, illegally, and politically deprived of their citizenship rights and are in a state of expulsion, suspension, forced retirement, and resignation, the existing evidence indicates obstacles that hinder the return of these individuals to universities.' The expelled professors during Ibrahim Raisi's presidency further noted in their letter: 'We, a group of expelled professors, demand a clear statement and decisive action in this matter to clarify whether there is a genuine will to solve this problem or if the return of a few individuals is merely for propaganda purposes.' They also emphasized: 'It should remain in the memory of history that there were officials who prevented university professors from working due to their desire for well-being, honesty, and social responsibility. What has unjustly happened to us is the result of a non-scientific and non-transparent mechanism for determining public qualifications and the scrutiny of beliefs.' In the conclusion of their letter to Medicalian, they insisted: 'We demand that, in addition to compensating for the violated rights of expelled professors, the possibility of their return to universities be provided without exhausting administrative and bureaucratic formalities, and as part of the human body of the university, we want conditions for the unconditional return of all expelled and suspended students and their consolation to be created.' Simultaneously with the publication of this letter on Saturday, October 1, a report was released by 'Shabakeh Shargh' about six expelled professors from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, who are now teaching at prestigious universities worldwide. They explained the process of their expulsion during Ibrahim Raisi's government, stating: 'These expulsions are part of a broader trend to purify the higher education system and remove critical professors from universities, attempting to replace these professors with individuals aligned with the policies of the 13th government of the Islamic Republic.' These reports come as the new academic year in Iran begins, with the news outlet 'Entekhab' reporting on September 24 that at least 25 prominent and critical professors from Ferdowsi University of Mashhad were expelled during Ibrahim Raisi's term, with graduates from Imam Sadiq University replacing them. Some expelled professors also pointed out the intention of Raisi's associates and government to turn Ferdowsi University into a center for radical groups, noting: 'Jamileh Alamolhoda, Ibrahim Raisi's wife and daughter of the Friday prayer leader of Mashhad, has played a key role in settling scores with critical and independent professors, to the extent that she even provided opinions on the files of expelled professors and intervened in all university matters.' On September 8, Masoud Medicalian, President of the 14th government of the Islamic Republic, requested that Minister of Science Hossein Simayi Sarraf 'review all professors whose contracts were canceled or who were expelled from universities in any way and return the students.' On September 24, Minister of Science Hossein Simayi Sarraf told reporters that he is in contact with the judiciary regarding the return of protesting students and professors but 'is not sure if the judiciary will review these cases again.' Reactions to reports of the return of expelled students to universities; Amir Kabir Newsletter: 'It is propaganda.' After several days of speculation, the controversial President of Tehran University, who supported the presence of Hashd al-Shaabi forces, was dismissed; the Minister of Science appointed an 'interim' head. The dismissal of the controversial President of Tehran University; Moqimi, a supporter of the presence of Hashd al-Shaabi, was replaced by Soltani. I expelled Mohammad Hadi Mofteh, Khamenei's representative at the Islamic Center in Hamburg. The activities of the Islamic Center in Forstenwalde were banned two days after the expulsion of Khamenei's representative from Germany. A personal account from a student; Mohaddeseh Fatemi: I was suspended for not adhering to mandatory hijab outside the university.