Conditional Approval of 2300 Programs at Azad University by the Ministry of Science

The Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology stated that the ministry has approved 2300 programs at Azad University under three conditions. According to Mojtaba Shariati Niasar, in a meeting on Sunday, July 2, with the Education Commission of the Parliament and Azad University, approximately 2300 programs out of 2900 disputed codes were approved by the Ministry of Science. However, Mr. Shariati pointed out that 'these matters must also be approved by the Higher Education Expansion Council.' According to this report, 'the codes of master's programs that have previously graduated will continue.' Additionally, assistance will be provided for the issuance of permits for codes that have doctoral study permissions and those that have at least three assistant professors to continue their activities. Previously, the Director General of Human Resources and Welfare of Azad University announced the 'removal' of 2800 programs from this university by the Ministry of Science, calling it an 'unprofessional and controversial' action. Saeed Alizadeh considered the removal of these programs 'contrary to the scientific and technological policies announced' by the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic and 'the law of the Parliament,' stating that this decision has led to 'the removal of between one and 142 programs in master's degrees across 253 units of Azad University.' Nonetheless, according to Ministry of Science officials, last year, about 4600 educational programs offered in over 400 educational units of Azad University (each educational program in a geographical unit has a code) were granted a one-year permit to align these centers with the standards of the Ministry of Science. Some of these centers succeeded in meeting the necessary conditions to continue their activities, while approximately 2900 programs (one-third of all master's programs at Azad University with a capacity of about 800,000 students) were unable to continue due to lacking the necessary criteria. In contrast, Azad University officials claim they have adhered to the Ministry of Science's standards and have made significant progress in these programs, especially in the composition of faculty members. As the dispute escalated between the Ministry of Science and Azad University officials, on July 9, Ali Akbar Velayati, the head of the founding board of Azad University, accused the Ministry of Science of 'mass removal' of some of the university's master's programs, adding that the university continues its work without regard to the Ministry of Science's statement. Ali Akbar Velayati, speaking on state television, stated that 'Azad University conducts its master's program selection according to the law and does not concern itself with the Ministry of Science's statement.' He considered the codes of Azad University's programs to be 'in accordance with the law' and stated that the Ministry of Science's denial in this regard is 'arbitrary application against the law.' Azad University has witnessed controversial changes since Ali Akbar Velayati took over as the head of its board of trustees. In early May of this year, he dismissed Hamid Mirzadeh from the presidency of Azad University and introduced Ali Mohammad Nourian as the caretaker of the university. Mr. Mirzadeh's dismissal was met with reactions, including from Hassan Khomeini, the grandson of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and a member of Azad University's board of trustees, who wrote a letter to Hassan Rouhani, the President of Iran, asking him to intervene in the issue of Mirzadeh's dismissal and the changes at the university. Hamid Mirzadeh claimed that his dismissal occurred without following legal procedures and voting in a board meeting with all members present. However, this was denied by the current management of Azad University.