Universities minister addresses academic freedom fears

Asharq Al-Awsat 07 September 2013

Jaafar Towfiqi, caretaker minister responsible for research and most of Iran’s universities, says students have already told President Hassan Rouhani of their expectations for greater autonomy for higher education institutions, reports Asharq Al-Awsat.

“We hope that the demands will be met with the formation of a new administration and the inauguration of new ministers,” Towfiqi said after he was named caretaker minister of science, research and technology. “Academia expects to enjoy more authority in hiring professors, admitting PhD students, and changing curricula and bylaws. In general, one of the main demands of academia is that the independence of universities must be respected within the framework of rules and regulations and the general policies of the [Islamic] establishment,” he added.

Towfiqi also said financial problems were one of the major problems facing Iran’s universities: “Given the increase in universities’ admissions of students, particularly for advanced studies, they need to have sufficient financial facilities in order to offer education of the best quality.”
Full report on the Asharq Al-Awsat site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.