The migration of university professors, students, and elites from Iran has repeatedly drawn public attention in recent years. What is particularly noteworthy about this issue is that neither the government in general nor the country’s academic institutions, in particular, have taken any action to address it.
The exact number of professors who have migrated from Iran in recent years remains unclear, with conflicting statistics reported on the matter. However, based on available reports, it appears that a significant number of university faculty members have left the country in recent years due to various reasons, including economic, political, and social challenges.
Some reports indicate that approximately 2,700 university faculty members have left Iran over the past four years. However, other sources estimate this number to be either higher or lower. For instance, some reports suggest that around 1,700 faculty members migrated between 2018 and 2021.
Notably, Iran’s Minister of Science in the thirteenth administration has claimed that 25% of university professors have migrated in recent years. However, due to the ambiguity surrounding the exact time frame and the method of calculation, the accuracy of this statistic cannot be definitively verified.
Regardless of the precise number of migrating professors, what is certain is that this trend is on the rise and could, in the near future, inflict irreparable damage on the country’s higher education and research system.
It is worth noting that multiple factors contribute to the migration of university professors from Iran, including:
– Economic issues: such as low salaries and benefits, lack of adequate welfare facilities, and insufficient support for scientific research.
– Political and social issues: including restrictions on freedom of speech, gender and ethnic discrimination, and lack of job security.
– Cultural issues: such as the absence of an environment conducive to academic and cultural growth, lack of respect for the status of professors and intellectuals, and neglect of their professional concerns.
