ATTACK ON CENTER OF ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Tehran University is the oldest and largest scientific, educational and research centre of Iran which is referred to as Mother University and it is considered as the symbol of higher education. Tehran University is considered as one of the pioneers of the society in important scientific, cultural, political and social affairs. It is such that besides its old role in political and social changes of the country, its remarkable impact in the scientific-cultural development of the society is also undeniable.

Tehran University was established in 1934 although the history of University in Iran dates back to the year 1851 where a polytechnic, known locally as "Darolfonoon", aiming at training and teaching Iranian experts on many fields of sciences.

Over the years Tehran University has produced and offered to the society many distinguished technocrats and intellectuals. Until the revolt of 1979 Tehran University was held in high esteem by most of the highly respected Universities in the world and its qualifications were highly respected and valued. Today a number of highly respected academic posts outside Iran and in USA in particular are occupied by the ex-graduates of Tehran University.

In an unprecedented move, the newly appointed government of Ahmadi-Nezhad and with a great deal of haste has appointed a cleric as the new chief of the University. The new chancellor is Ayatollah Amid Zanjani, a notorious religious prosecutor in the 1980s.

Never before in its glorious history has Tehran University been subjected to such humiliation of a having imposed on it a Chancellor with no academic background. The newly imposed Chancellor's only credential, other than a high school diploma, is the theological teaching he has received in religious school known as Madreseh.

Tehran University students have been so outraged and angered at this insult that they have resorted to massive demonstrations and are demanding the resignation of the newly imposed Chancellor. They are also planning many more demonstration in the very near future.

The choice of such a chancellor has no reason other than to control the only remaining relatively free establishment left in the country. By this appointment the government of Ahmadi-Nezhad hopes to smother any remaining opposition to its reactionary plans.

Iran of Tomorrow Movement (IOTM), whose members are all University educated and technocrats, considers its duty to oppose such unprecedented move and the appointment as Chancellor of such an unworthy individual with such notorious background.

IOTM considers this move as an assault on the academic world and an insult to the educated people of the world and Tehran University in particular.

Therefore, we request from all the University students all over the world to show your solidarity with Tehran University student and by voicing your concern and bewilderment and anger against the appointment of a notorious religious prosecutor as the Chancellor of a highly respected academic institution.

Please give us your support and demonstrate your anger by being vocal and by supporting our petition against this appointment.