Following the recent widespread students protests in the universities in Iran, the university authorities in addition to expulsion and suspension of the protestors have started to reprimand and suspend faculties that supported the protestors. Furthermore, they are forcing all students to sign statements requiring them to abide by new unlawful disciplinary regulations. At the same time in an concerted efforts from top down the universities managers are being appointed based on their ideological and political view rather than their scientific and management abilities and without input from faculty and student councils.
As a result we are unfortunately witnessing escalation of a trend that by appointment of the individuals who are aligned with government and debarment of the independent faculties, universities become devoid of the free thinking and and critical views.
SUTA is expressing its deep concern about above trend and demands that the university authorities abandon this approach and allow the managers to be selected by the university councils. Also the university management should respect academic freedom and create an environment conducive to flourishing of diverse views.
