Economy
Quarter of Iran's university professors emigrate as proxy wars take priority
As the regime pours billions into proxy wars, university professors are escaping poverty-level salaries and chronic underfunding of education.
![Iran's former Culture and Education Minister Mohammed Mahdi Ismaili registers his candidacy for the presidential election in Tehran on June 2. [Atta Kenare/AFP]](/gc3/images/2024/12/11/48429-iran-ismaili-election-370_237.webp)
By Fariba Raad |
The Iranian regime is facing an academic brain drain, with 25% of its university professors leaving to teach abroad, as it prioritizes funding foreign conflicts over domestic investment in education.
Raising the alarm in late November, Iranian Science Minister Hossein Simayee Saraf pointed to inadequate compensation as the primary driver of this exodus, among other factors.
Saraf warned that some departing professors "do not even intend to return," pointing to the stark salary disparity with neighboring countries, Voice of America Persian reported.
"University professors' salaries in neighboring countries across the water range from $4,000 to $7,000," he noted, while "the salary of our full professors with 50 years of experience barely reaches $1,000."
The academic exodus coincides with rising poverty rates.
According to a recent Iranian Parliament Research Center report, approximately one-third of the population cannot meet basic needs, with poverty rates climbing to 30.1% in 2023 from 29.7% in 2022.
These statistics raise serious concerns about how the country's wealth is managed and the allocation of government revenues from taxes and asset sales.
The ongoing neglect of critical sectors like education not only undermines the state's future but also reflects broader mismanagement of national resources.
While Iranian authorities blame Western sanctions for the country's economic woes, former Foreign Minister Javad Zarif's statement that the government has a "Ph.D. in sanctions busting" suggests otherwise.
Funding proxy network
Experts say Iran's financial priorities lie elsewhere. The regime has invested heavily in expanding its network of armed proxies across the Middle East, channeling billions away from domestic needs.
"Iran's strategy involves furthering its imprint in the region," University of St. Andrews Institute for Iranian Studies founding director Ali Ansari told Pishtaz.
"This approach is deeply rooted in the doctrine that shapes the regime's identity," he said.
"Iran's policy of supporting terrorism dates back to the early days of the Islamic Revolution," he added. "It's got nothing to do with the Iranian people."
Middle East Institute Iran Program founding director Alex Vatanka estimates that support for Hizbullah alone runs into "hundreds of millions a year."
"The Iranian regime does not want to publish [the sum] because it is a point of contention; it angers the Iranian public," Vatanka told Pishtaz.
"The Iranian regime really has a moment of reckoning" if it wishes to continue on this course, he said, noting that "we are seeing clearly that the Iranian population is sick and tired of Iran's regional ventures."
It was perfect.
Oh my god, the government only believes itself, everything for them. Rent-seeking trade, astronomical salaries, amenities and facilities, villas, traveling abroad, their children's education abroad, university quotas, jobs, their own supporters, brain drain has been there from the very beginning. How many of the Olympiad participants have stayed? The rest of the people are considered infidels. They are meant to be deprived of everything... to be sent to war to make a a wall of flesh and be killed... Every time there was talk of the government not having enough, terrible embezzlements have been exposed...
We, the Iranian people, are paid in Rials but spend in dollars. Is this justice of an Islamic country? If it is called Islamic, why is there so much oppression against the people? If there is justice, why have we never seen it, what is this a tragedy that our government is inflicting on its people with such cruelty? We, the Iranian people, cannot afford to buy a kilo of meat. Buying clothes has become our dream. We Iranians yearn to have a one night of sleep with full stomach and we are the richest country in the world, but they are oppressing us like this and we should remain silent and not say anything. But how and what can we do to appease the bloodthirsty people who are openly and shamelessly shedding the blood of innocent people and laughing at us?????
When the ignorant Arabs buried their girls alive because of their gender, God send his messenger to make them believe and live and follow His messenger and Ali (peace be upon him), the commander of the faithful, the constant attacker, the conqueror of Khaybar, and his children. Well, the rest will be fine, don't get upset, some people will start insulting 1700 years ago, well, you will get depressed, you will go crazy, because we love 1700 years ago, I always think in my mind, I wish I lived with the daughter of the prophet, I am Fatima...
You taught everyone manners.
The mobile phone is perhaps the most important invention of mankind after the invention of electricity. However, while it was invented to bring people together more closely and intimately, the unfortunate reality is that humans have actually become lonelier.
It's true that professors are needed, but they're not crazy to stay. They go and make the best life for themselves. Now that we're in Iran, what good have we seen except the misery of displacement? May God be with everyone who left.
Don't talk shit. Don't exaggerate. Don't deceive and disappoint people with lies.
It is immigration. But not in the way you exaggerate.
The writers learned manners from you.
Both the mullah and the seyed are roaming around.. The night wanderings are the work of the mercenaries. The black-clad Arabs are infidels.
Banditry is a noble deed compared to the actions of the Arabs of that time, a barbaric Arab who could not be caught even chased by a horse and who did not use a tool like a knife or sword when killing, but rather would rip the victim's throat with his teeth and first drink his blood until he was satisfied, then feed on his flesh. The Iranian government is a supporter of these Arabs and is Arab itself
Our beloved country needs these professors. Why immigration? We need to see what the problem is.