Systematic Oppression of Tertiary Education in Iran Under the Islamic Republic

Abstract

Since the inception of the "Woman, Life, Freedom" revolution in September 2022, following the tragic death of Mahsa Amini, universities in Iran have been at the forefront of resistance. In response, the government has attempted to silence opposition by exerting control over universities and engaging in waves of arrests and imprisonments. The latest round of attacks extended beyond students and targeted any academic who protected students from violent attacks by the regime or has criticised the state for the draconian policies they have coerced on the tertiary education sector. This study delves into the historical and institutional roots of the oppressive mechanisms employed by the Islamic Republic in Iranian universities, since the 1979 revolution and the subsequent Islamisation project. Through this lens, we analyze how the regime legitimizes its practices, enforces misogynistic policies in tertiary education, and coerces universities into submission. We argue that Iranian universities have come to resemble prisons, with academics fearing for their job security and the expression of their opinions, while regime-connected individuals monopolize opportunities such as research grants and travel prospects. Our aim is to raise awareness within the international academic community about the oppressive, misogynistic, and corrupt system that governs Iran's tertiary education sector.