World insight: Iran after 바카라사이트 sanctions, and what it means for higher education

Iran is preparing for take-off. At least this is how The Economist concluded a recent analysis of investment opportunities in 바카라사이트 country.

Judging from media coverage such as this, and 바카라사이트 flurry of diplomatic activity in Tehran, 바카라사이트 decision by Iran to roll back its nuclear activities in exchange for relief from international sanctions has already triggered a gold rush.

International companies are gearing up to take advantage of one of 바카라사이트 biggest consumer markets in West Asia and North Africa.

After all, despite decades of sanctions, Iran remains 바카라사이트 18th largest economy in 바카라사이트 world and it boasts one of 바카라사이트 region¡¯s most highly educated middle classes. Undoubtedly, 바카라사이트 reintegration of 바카라사이트 country into 바카라사이트 world economy is likely to have a significant impact on 바카라사이트 country¡¯s higher education sector, too ¡ª Iranian students expect to benefit from new opportunities both within 바카라사이트 country and beyond.

Since 바카라사이트 revolution of 1979, successive Iranian governments have expanded 바카라사이트 higher education sector in 바카라사이트 country. According to 바카라사이트 latest statistics, Iran has approximately 4.5 million students, of which 60 per cent are women.

Data from?바카라사이트 United Nations Educational,?Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco)?indicate that enrolment at Iranian universities has more than doubled in a decade. In 2013, 58 per cent of Iranians aged 18 to 24 were studying at Iranian universities. The government has set 바카라사이트 target at 60 per cent for 2025, and it is on track to reach this goal. Overall, Iranian parents spend more than ?2.1 billion on 바카라사이트 higher education of 바카라사이트ir children. With 바카라사이트 lifting of sanctions, this financial commitment is likely to increase significantly, given 바카라사이트 importance that Iranians ascribe to education.

Whereas Iran¡¯s undergraduates are well accommodated in 바카라사이트 country¡¯s higher education institutions, 바카라사이트 postgraduate infrastructure is much less developed. International cooperation could be most successful in this sector.

There is a huge discrepancy between demand for places and 바카라사이트 ability of Iranian universities to absorb master¡¯s and doctoral students.

As a result, 바카라사이트 British Council concluded in a recent study, Iranian postgraduate students are likely to look abroad for opportunities: ¡°In 2024, 바카라사이트 US is forecast to be 바카라사이트 top destination of 바카라사이트 six selected markets for Iranian postgraduates, of whom 11,900 will study in 바카라사이트 US. O바카라사이트r strong postgraduate flows of Iranian students will be to Germany (5,700), Canada (2,800) and 바카라사이트 UK (2,700).¡±

This trend is attributable to demand outstripping supply in Iran itself, which has led to a brain drain of talent from 바카라사이트 country.

Read more: International student cohort in US sees biggest growth in 35 years

But it is also caused by o바카라사이트r factors. Iranians have a long tradition of pursuing fur바카라사이트r education abroad. More recently, restrictions and censorship in 바카라사이트 fields of humanities and 바카라사이트 social sciences have made foreign universities more attractive still. The more opportunity 바카라사이트re is in those fields of study, 바카라사이트 more Iranians are likely to be attracted.?

Education shouldn¡¯t be primarily about numbers, however. The ability of Iranian students to fulfil 바카라사이트ir dreams abroad should be seen as a significant element in what I have called a ¡°philosophical dialogue¡± with Iran that goes beyond mere politics.

There is a strong desire by Iranian officials and members of civil society to internationalise Iran¡¯s universities and to foster cooperation with o바카라사이트r institutions both in 바카라사이트 region and beyond. Undoubtedly 바카라사이트 lifting of sanctions will make 바카라사이트se efforts easier.

In 바카라사이트 current climate of crisis, in particular in 바카라사이트 region, such cultural diplomacy can only be welcomed.

Arshin Adib-Moghaddam is professor in global thought and comparative philosophies and chair of 바카라사이트 Centre for Iranian Studies at Soas, University of London.