On October 7, President Hassan Rouhani warned that restrictions on academic freedom stifle innovation and lead to brain drain. “Let's let people express themselves,” he said at Tehran University during a ceremony marking the start of the new academic year. The president also highlighted the importance of expanding interaction with the outside world for the sake of scientific progress. Rouhani's efforts to open up universities have been stymied by hardliners in parliament, which impeached the reformist minister of higher education in August. Another reformist has been appointed in the interim. The following are quotes from Rouhani’s address.
“Irrelevant restrictions will lead to lack of tolerance, the departure of honest, competent individuals and the promotion of ingratiating people.”
“Let's not create a climate of flattery in the university… We should not be concerned about the expression of diverse views by university professors.”
“I am here to listen, not to make a speech. It is a matter of regret that there was no speech by a student association representative in today's program.”
“Governing and administering the country is not possible without tolerance. Let's let people express themselves.”
“The interaction with the world is not limited to the foreign policy. It should also include economy as well as science and technology.”
“Some people say that if we have contact with the outside world, if our teachers go abroad and their professors come here, maybe someone will be a spy among them. Stop making excuses!”
“Our universities have empty seats in certain subjects. We either have to make them smaller or invite foreign students.”
“I’m not saying let's start from those places that are scary to some people. I mean let's just start with our neighbors.”
“Let our students go abroad for a term. At least create one university that has English as the main language so that we can attract foreign students.”
“Some people say that if we have contact with the outside world, if our teachers go abroad and their professors come here, maybe someone will be a spy among them. Stop making excuses!”
“Our universities have empty seats in certain subjects. We either have to make them smaller or invite foreign students.”
“I’m not saying let's start from those places that are scary to some people. I mean let's just start with our neighbors.”
“Let our students go abroad for a term. At least create one university that has English as the main language so that we can attract foreign students.”
“The administration is not subject to any constraints on funding research activities, either in the field of applied research needed by the country or in the field of research at the boundary of knowledge, which is necessary for the country.”