Iranian Students' Dilemma

Ms. Kathryn E Riddle Chairman, Pro-Chancellor of Council The University of Sheffield Western Bank Sheffield S10 2TN 30 Jan 2012 Dear Ms. Riddle We, undersigned, are writing to raise our grave concerns regarding the adverse effects of new EU regulations on the lives of many Iranian students at the University of Sheffield. For years, the University of Sheffield has been the destination for many young and professional Iranians, who have chosen this prominent institution with high hopes and have been proudly able to deliver their best throughout their academic careers. That has not only resulted in scientific contributions and accomplishments, but has also had economic and cultural impacts on our, now, home city of Sheffield. The new EU sanctions on Iran’s financial sectors have inevitably posed serious threats to the well-being of many Iranian students (and their dependents) who rely on incomes in their home country. That has urged us to write this letter to share our concerns with you and to seek for possible solutions to this dilemma. One of the key challenges we are facing at the moment is the volatile foreign currency market in Iran affected by the new wave of EU sanctions on the Central Bank of Iran, as well as the recent EU oil embargo against Iran. This has resulted in a nearly 50% drop in the value of our national currency in the past six weeks. Consequently, the prospects of our academic careers have suddenly become extremely gloomy as we now need almost double earnings in order to live and study in the UK. We clearly understand that the proper solution to our problem rests mostly in the hands of politicians and none other, least of all the Governance of the University. Yet, the current situation is extremely detrimental to our daily lives and, by extension, to our academic status. We would therefore be grateful if the University could kindly assist us in finding a lasting solution to our predicament. We believe that the academic and cosmopolitan society at the University of Sheffield, home to hundreds of international students from all corners of the globe, would not possibly ignore the unfortunate predicament of its Iranian students, who sincerely look forward to their graduation—and hopefully so, to lovely memories of their alma mater. Yours truly, Iranian students and researchers at the University of Sheffield