“My M.Sc. application was rejected, not on the basis of my academic performance, but because of where I am born”, writes Amin, an Iranian reader of this blog. Attaching a snapshot of the communication he has received from University of Twente, in the Netherlands, he asks if this action is acceptable under international norms.
Apparently, the Dutch university has decided to reject Iranian applicants, because they “are requested to write a formal guarantee…that the Iranian applicant for a visa does not have access to certain specific scientific knowledge” (source). Therefore, Amin loses his chance to pursue his studies in Chemical Engineering, something he rigorously emphasizes “has nothing to do with the nukes”.
Academicians are signing a petition against this new decision.
Update: University Twente administration changed their mind. The newly published statement reads “International students holding a valid residence permit will be accepted into the University of Twente without any further requirements being made, providing they possess the requisite qualifications. This applies to all nationalities, including Iranian students.” The statement also reads “There have been no instances of admission refusals or any form of discrimination, as otherwise suggested by the media on several occasions.” This seems to be a false statement, based on the email communication given in the above. Thanks to christinA for the tip.
Why is this Dutch university writing its acceptance letters in English (and not following norms of formal punctuation). “Moreover” is also one word. This is a bit suspicious don’t you think?
Kamangir: I don’t think so. We also have the statement by the university.
Comment by Matthew — January 24, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
@ Matthew
No, this is sad reality.
Comment by christinA — January 25, 2008 @ 6:43 am
Archer
Are you really sure that Amin, personally, got rejected?
I just wonder because couple of days ago I have read an article about Dutch university rejecting Iranian students and now you say that Amin says that he got personally rejected.
*********
Now, I am in two minds regarding this decision.
On one hand I think that science should not have borders. Everybody should study in a country they want to study if they have adequate grades and can pay for studies irregardless of the policies of their country. They should study even if some of these students are (vocally) against the government and some of the laws of the country they study in.
On the other hand government of IRI did said that Iranian students should help IRI by “getting” blueprints and state-of-the-art technologies not otherwise available to IRI.
So yes, I think I like science to be free, but I am not sure how “free” should it be.
Comment by ella — January 25, 2008 @ 1:39 pm
This is really sad, and silly.
First of all it smells really bad. I don´t need to explain why – it´s far too obvious.
But what´s makes it even worse is that this decision is one of principle. They don´t want Iranians, period. Everyone know that there are Iranian students in universities all over the world, and the US. University of Twente is hardly the place the islamic republic would place its agents. It´s just silly.
Comment by Per Andreas — January 25, 2008 @ 2:01 pm
wow.
Comment by Matthew — January 25, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
A few rotten grapes spoil the wine.
I feel for those Iranians that truly want education in the West to better themselves and humanity. Unfortunately, we are at the edge of world war again and borders are being locked down tighter until the tension passes.
Hopefully it passes on its own without guns and bombs…but I’m truly doubting it.
Comment by Tom — January 25, 2008 @ 5:06 pm
TU Twente has withdrawn herdecision not to admit Iranian students.
See http://www.utwente.nl/en/news/2008/january/Iran%20standpunt%20UT%20%28Engels%29.doc/
Kamangir: Thanks.
Comment by christinA — January 26, 2008 @ 11:29 am
This has nothing to do with building nukes. check out the degree of Saddam Hussein’s brother, ‘chemical Ali’. And check out what chemical Ali is responsible for. Instead of chemical engineering why not apply for petroleum engineering?
Comment by Greg H. — January 26, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Ahem.
Comment by Matthew — January 28, 2008 @ 10:29 am
off topic. Dear Kaman, is there a Persian copy of Shariatmadri’s op-ed in Kayhan anywhere online to verify below translation?
http://www.memri.org/bin/latestnews.cgi?ID=SD182808
Kamangir: Wow! This is horrible! Public invitation to terrorism! This is the Persian text, which does comply with the first part of Memri’s translation: http://kayhannews.ir/861106/2.htm#other204 (I didn’t read the rest because I have to rush to blog about this!).
Comment by serendip — January 28, 2008 @ 12:42 pm
It’s more than that, Kaman… It’s a call for a full-scale Muslim revolt throughout the West. The reasoning of that article is that if Europe and the US prevent Muslim countries from destroying Israel, then governments throughout Europe and America must be violently overthrown to stop them from protecting Israel from so-called “Muslim wrath”.
Not a very nice man at all, if I may be so bold.
Comment by Roman Kalik — January 29, 2008 @ 11:39 am
Then again, the call won’t produce more than *just* terrorism, so it should be seen as a call and legitimisation of just that.
Comment by Roman Kalik — January 29, 2008 @ 11:37 pm
Interestingly University of Twente has a distinguished Iranian professor on its faculty. Maybe they should also consider firing Iranian professor to be consistent with their racist policies
Comment by Rama — February 10, 2008 @ 11:58 am