IRAN

Gradual opening of HE sector likely as sanctions lifted

Experts predict that the lifting of sanctions on Iran is likely to lead to a “gradual opening” of its higher education sector, but collaborations with neighbouring Gulf nations will be limited, writes Ellie Bothwell for Times Higher Education.

Philip Altbach, founding director of the Center for International Higher Education at Boston College, said the largest impact of the end of sanctions is “likely to be an increase in the number of Iranian students seeking to study in Western countries”.

However, he added: “Continuing conflicts are likely to limit collaboration between universities in Iran and in neighbouring Gulf nations, combined with the fact that it is not clear what each side could offer the other. In short, we should not expect a sea change in regional higher education relations as a result of the ending of sanctions.”
Full report on the Times Higher Education site