Kurdistan University in Sanandaj, the largest academic institution in the western Iranian province of Kurdistan, actively supported the Women, Life, Freedom movement during last year’s anti-government protests.
The student-led protest actions, which included boycotting classes, condemning executions and criticizing the arrest of professors, were repeatedly met with violence by the Islamic Republic’s security apparatus.
In recent months, the authorities have imposed additional security measures targeting students and professors at Kurdistan University as part of efforts to purge the country’s academic institutions of elements deemed undesirable.
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In November 2022, as the country was swept by anti-government protests, the head of Kurdistan University resigned from his post in protest over the suppression of students.
Rahmat Sadeghi was replaced by Hamid Ghadirzadeh, whose tenure at the helm of the university coincided with an escalation in the repression against students.
As the new academic year begins, Kurdistan University has become even more heavily guarded and its students and professors have faced increased restrictions.
More CCTVs
Security cameras have been installed across Kurdistan University’s campus, except the "bathroom," one student told an IranWire citizen reporter.
"I attended this university two years ago, and although surveillance cameras were present along certain pathways on the campus, this year has seen a significant surge in the number of these cameras," the student explained. "It's safe to say that the university authorities now have eyes on everywhere except the bathroom."
Stringent Rules for Women
A young man who accompanied his sister during the registration and dormitory selection process at the beginning of the academic year told IranWire: "I dropped my sister off at the dormitory entrance. She was wearing a regular coat and a headscarf that didn’t strictly adhere to the criteria set by the Islamic Republic. I wanted to enter the dormitory to check my sister's accommodation, but the dormitory staff, while emphasizing the need for my sister to wear her headscarf, informed me that only our mother had the right to enter."
"They also emphasize the necessity to comply with the rules posted inside and in front of the dormitory, warning of consequences in case of non-compliance."
"These regulations encompass proper attire within the dormitory, rigorous adherence to entry and exit times, especially during the night, prohibition of tobacco use, among other things. Furthermore, continuous monitoring of these regulations is conducted within the dormitory premises."
Gender-Segregated University Cafeterias
In Kurdistan University, it has been customary for both male and female students to dine together, but over the past year the Ministry of Science has placed a stronger emphasis on gender segregation.
The Kurdistan University students' Telegram channel recently warned that gender-segregated cafeterias could be established.
"According to certain speculations, the university is considering the creation of a male-only cafeteria for the Faculty of Agriculture. Meanwhile, the Fereshtagan Complex will be designated for the distribution of meals to female students," it said.
Infiltration by Security Institutions
The increasing influence of security institutions within the university and their retaliation against professors involved in the Woman, Life, Freedom movement is a matter of grave concern.
Behrouz Chamanara, a faculty member at the Department of Kurdish Language and Literature, was arrested during last year’s protests and later dismissed for non-academic reasons.
In a recent Instagram post, Chamanara protested his unlawful arrest and the authorities' insistence that he writes a letter of repentance.
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