VP calls for greater university autonomy as new academic year begins
Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref has called for greater university autonomy, urging the government to give academics special powers to resolve higher education challenges as the new academic year gets underway.
In a message marking the start of the academic year, Aref described universities as “smart drivers of national strength” and centers of social capital and hope, emphasizing their role in scientific progress, innovation and addressing the country’s needs, fvpresident.ir reported.
He said the government welcomed transferring university affairs to academics within the framework of national policies and development plans, stressing that higher education institutions should be empowered to manage their own challenges.
Aref also urged faculty members to strengthen students’ confidence, encourage critical thinking and expand opportunities for in-person interaction and open discussion. He called on universities to provide a safe, rational environment where students can raise questions, express criticism and receive evidence-based responses.
He highlighted the need for universities to engage more directly with national challenges, particularly structural imbalances in water, energy and financial resources. Moving beyond identifying problems, he said, academic institutions should develop practical solutions and bring technologies to market.
The first vice president also called for stronger scientific diplomacy, expanded academic cooperation with regional countries and the Islamic world, and greater engagement with Iranian scholars and students abroad to showcase the country’s scientific achievements.
Aref reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting faculty members’ dignity and livelihoods, improving student and staff welfare, and creating a calm and vibrant learning environment. He also encouraged philanthropists and private-sector supporters to contribute to higher education infrastructure and strategic scientific fields.
Expressing confidence in the academic community’s ability to advance the country’s scientific and technological capabilities, Aref said the new academic year could become a turning point in addressing national challenges and strengthening public solidarity.