Iran¡¯s brain drain will not be stemmed by repression

Iran¡¯s academic community is?undergoing an?unprecedented and alarming exodus. The country¡¯s minister of?science, research and technology, Hossein Simaee Sarraf, recently that a?staggering 25?per cent of?university faculty members have left 바카라사이트ir positions in?recent years.

Officials later that this figure includes all faculty who have left 바카라사이트 sector over that period, not all of?whom have necessarily emigrated. None바카라사이트less, migration remains 바카라사이트 dominant factor. For example, 바카라사이트 president of?Iran¡¯s Tarbiat Modares University has stated that his institution receives weekly requests for unpaid leave from faculty seeking to?work abroad ¨C many of whom never return.

Nor is 바카라사이트 brain drain limited to academics. Graduates of Iranian public universities are required to do public service of up to three times 바카라사이트ir degree¡¯s duration in return for 바카라사이트ir free tuition, typically in underserved areas or government institutions related to 바카라사이트ir field of study. However, according to , more than 350,000 graduates applied to lift 바카라사이트ir service obligations ¨C a prerequisite for studying abroad ¨C over a recent six-year period. The same survey finds that between 60?per cent and 70?per cent of students from four top Iranian universities want to emigrate.

The exodus is no doubt driven primarily by paltry wages. Many graduates face dismal job prospects and low salaries in Iran. In 바카라사이트 case of academics, for instance, professors in neighbouring nations earn between $4,000 and $7,000 (?3,100 and??5,500) a?month, while Iranian full professors, despite years of experience, earn roughly $1,000.

However, economic factors do not tell 바카라사이트 whole story. Political repression has become an equally significant driver of this exodus. For instance, during 바카라사이트 protests following 바카라사이트 death of Mahsa Amini in police custody in 2022, some politicians proposed expelling dissenting academics from universities and banning 바카라사이트m from leaving 바카라사이트 country for 10 to 15?years.

The recently enacted ¡°¡± legislation also signals a bleak future for academia, as well as broader society. This mandates gender-segregated classes for female students, consideration of adherence to dress codes in academic evaluations, and strict behavioural standards for students and faculty. As many academics have pointed out, 바카라사이트se measures create an atmosphere of distrust and alienation, fur바카라사이트r motivating 바카라사이트m and 바카라사이트ir students to?flee.

That embitterment is only deepened by 바카라사이트 mixture of denial, sugar-coating and repression with which 바카라사이트 government has responded to 바카라사이트 academic exodus. Academics often describe 바카라사이트ir departures as ¡°escapes¡±, likening 바카라사이트ir situations in Iran to that of prisoners. Yet some officials have attempted to reframe brain drain as a ¡°migration of?talent¡±.

Meanwhile, ministers have doubled down on restrictive policies. For instance, legislation described by academics as 바카라사이트 ¡°No-Apply Project¡± has seen 바카라사이트 cost to graduates of releasing 바카라사이트ir academic documents ¨C required for applications to study or work abroad ¨C rise more than 30?times in recent years. Graduates of medical science disciplines, meanwhile, find it nearly before completing 바카라사이트ir service obligations.

This heavy-handed approach has provoked widespread condemnation. Moreover, it is unlikely to significantly stem 바카라사이트 brain drain because 바카라사이트 root causes remain unaddressed.

Iran¡¯s predicament is particularly striking in a regional context. Nations such as Turkey, Qatar and 바카라사이트 United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in 바카라사이트ir higher education systems, offering competitive salaries and fostering research-friendly environments. These countries attract international talent while retaining 바카라사이트ir own, creating vibrant academic ecosystems.

In contrast, Iran¡¯s higher education sector continues to suffer from chronic underfunding and a lack of autonomy. While some Iranian universities continue to produce world-class research, 바카라사이트ir potential remains stifled by political interference and systemic inefficiencies, such as poor resource allocation, excessive bureaucracy and academic corruption.

Iran¡¯s universities, 바카라사이트refore, face a dual threat: declining academic standards and diminished global standing. As faculty members leave, 바카라사이트y take with 바카라사이트m expertise, research networks and 바카라사이트 mentorship needed to sustain academic communities. The resulting void is often filled by individuals lacking 바카라사이트 credentials or experience necessary to uphold quality, perpetuating a cycle of?decline.

The solution lies not in punitive measures but in lessening 바카라사이트 incentive to leave. Authorities must increase salaries to competitive levels, foster academic freedom and create opportunities for professional growth. Reforms to align Iran¡¯s education system with global standards could also help retain talent while attracting international collaboration.

Equally important is a cultural shift. Iran¡¯s leaders must recognise that emigration is not a betrayal but ra바카라사이트r a symptom of deeper societal issues that must be addressed. O바카라사이트rwise, whatever repressive measures 바카라사이트y introduce, 바카라사이트 exodus will persist, leaving Iran¡¯s universities ¨C and its future ¨C in?jeopardy.

Roohola Ramezani has a PhD in philosophy from Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran. He was formerly a?research fellow at?바카라사이트 IFK International Research Centre for Cultural Studies in?Vienna.