One of the darkest aspects of the performance and history of the Islamic Republic of Iran’s government is the denial of the right to education for critical students and the expulsion and suspension of university professors who act critically towards the government’s policies. In such circumstances, not only the future and life of a student is at stake, but also the years of hard work of professors who are facing serious threats to their livelihoods and their families. What is regrettable in this situation is that a government, with its repeated catastrophic mistakes, still has no understanding of governance and removes any critic from its path, hoping that its flaws and shortcomings will not be exposed.

If memory serves, such illogical and unreasonable path began during the presidency of “Ahmadinejad” in the ninth and tenth governments, and criticizing and expelling students became known as “starred” (a term used to describe students who were expelled or suspended). It was during that time that early retirement of some professors and their expulsion or suspension also began and continues to this day. These professors and students, who were some of the best in the country and were also known for their dignity and integrity by many university students, should be remembered. It should be noted that when a student’s permission to continue their studies is revoked, they have no other options but to either go abroad with moderate to high financial means and struggle to continue their education, or be forced to work in fields they have no interest in and be condemned to do so for the sake of making a living.

With the coming of the government of Masoud Pezeshkian, hope has been sparked in the academic community for the return of expelled professors and students. The president has also openly spoken about the issue. However, in order to achieve normalcy and the return of expelled professors and students, in addition to the determination of the president, the academic community and “healthy media” play a crucial role, as well as the role of the Minister of Science, Research and Technology in the fourteenth government.

Hossein Sima’i Sarraf is a 56-year-old politician and Minister of Health in the government of medical professionals. He has not been a member of any political party in the country and is known as a moderate politician. He was born in Mashhad and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the University of Tehran, a Master’s degree in Private Law from Tarbiat Modares University, and a PhD in Law from Shahid Beheshti University.

He has been a member of the government in the twelfth and thirteenth administrations and also has a “religious education”. He is familiar with the “clerical dress”. Simayi Saraf is a veteran of the Iran-Iraq war, and was the legal and parliamentary affairs deputy minister of science in the second administration of Hassan Rouhani. He also has a history of working with the thirteenth administration. In the eleventh administration, Simayi Saraf was the deputy legal affairs chief of staff and director of the legal office of the Ministry of Science. With such clear records, it is evident that he has a comprehensive and accurate understanding of the Ministry of Science and as a lawyer, he can effectively address the legal issues of expelled professors and students and facilitate their return.

The Minister of Science of the Medical Government was recognized as the top researcher in 1392 and was the winner of the fourth round of the “Qom Seminary” Book of the Year. He has published more than 50 works, including books and articles in Persian and English. He also has a background in teaching civil law and commercial law, and these experiences, as mentioned, in addition to his precise understanding of the Ministry of Science, demonstrate his knowledge of the academic community in Iran.

It is expected that with such signs, the face of a currency exchanger is well aware of the value of education and university and the difficulties of this path in Iran. It is logical to expect that the return path of professors and students who have been deprived of education and teaching only due to the differences in the taste of decision-makers will be made easier, and in addition, a process will be established in this key ministry based on strong foundations that will not allow “taste” and “criticism” to harm the rights of students and professors to continue their scientific activities.

The university is the center for criticizing governments, a criticism based on justice, knowledge, and literacy. If it is not based on these three pillars, it is not understandable for the academic community. The professor and the student will easily distinguish between fair and constructive criticism and malicious and destructive criticism.

The face of a money changer, of course, has many obstacles in this path; from “frozen minds” to hostility towards the government. The Minister of Science can take constructive steps with the help of healthy and well-intentioned media and make the public and society aware of their performance. He can also involve the society with the help of well-intentioned and free-thinking academics, and then with these allies, pave the way for the return of the people of that land to the university.

He must also keep a fair criticism space alive in the university and, as an experienced lawyer and with the help of legal knowledge, establish a strong foundation for having a free platform for criticism and not just be a mere executor of dictated policies.

Fortunately, considering the background of the Minister of Science and, of course, relying on insistence and perseverance on correct principles, it may be possible to imagine a clear perspective for the university; a perspective in which mental stagnation has been replaced by fairness, innovation, and benevolence.

The experienced moneychanger knows exactly what valuable inheritance has been left behind; the university in Iran is the place where heavy costs have been paid for justice and freedom, and both professors and students have sacrificed their lives to reach this point. The Minister of Science carries a great responsibility on their shoulders, as they hold the future of Iran. They are the minister of ministries who must raise the children of this land today to manage the rapidly approaching tomorrow.

The university is one of the most important educational, political, economic, social, and cultural institutions in any country, as future leaders in all fields must emerge from its heart, which is the center of knowledge, literacy, experience, rationality, intellectualism, responsibility, patriotism, foresight, and most importantly, ethics and humanity.

The Minister of Science of the Fourteenth Government, considering the legacy of the “evil” type that remains on the edge of the sword for him, and a mistake can jeopardize his path, the ministry, and thousands of fellow citizens and the future of Iran. On the other hand, with precise, logical, vigilant, and benevolent performance, it can ensure bright futures for universities and students.

A skilled money changer can insure the scientific future of Iran, which is full of valuable and shining assets, against many threats by planting the “seed of hope”; assets that many of them have gone beyond the waters to secure their scientific future and job security due to decisions made by frozen minds. One of the main reasons for the escape of these valuable assets has been these wrong decisions.

We should not doubt that most families and young people of this land, if they have hope for their scientific future and job security, will not leave their homeland and even those who do leave, like in previous years, will eagerly return to their homeland after completing their education; “exile from homeland” is the result of the mismanagement of those frozen minds who unfortunately are still making decisions in Iranian universities and the Minister of Science should take immediate action to replace these individuals.

If our human and scientific resources are not preserved and nurtured, our beloved Iran will be on the brink of destruction in the near future, and all of our mineral and natural resources will not be able to save the country from such disasters. Iran has precious heritage and resources for future generations, which must be managed by today’s youth and tomorrow’s leaders, who will come from the heart of this very university. The Minister of Science, Research, and Technology of the fourteenth government must also take steps towards protecting the rights of the children of this land and restore their right to education and teaching, because if this is not done, the losses and damages to Iran’s future may be irreparable.