This week we heard about an action at RWTH based on the "European technology embargo" against an Iranian new coming researcher. Unfortunately, one of the Iranians who was recently accepted for a doctoral position at RWTH Aachen University, after some time passed after receiving the invitation and the contract, received an email stating that it is not possible to cooperate with him based on this new law of the European Union, and this invitation was revoked.
In this email which is attached to this email, it is mentioned that the university is not able to hire her for this work position and project because he is Iranian. This decision is based on the fact that the use of the desired synthesis method for this project is prohibited for Iranians. While this is an efficient method for developing clean energy systems such as photovoltaic panels, which happens to be the background of his work.
This incident is considered very unfair by our Iranian community of RWTH students. We are trying to move towards creating an equal and safe world with the help of scientific development. We grew up longing for a free and equal life, and that's why we insist on changing this trend. This has led many of us to dedicate our lives to researching the development of clean processes and systems. However, such decisions are considered an obstacle for the people of Iran, especially the student community, who have no other goal than to make a peaceful world. For us, Germany and many European countries were an example of trying to build a clean and equal world. This was one of motivations to be able to gain experience and essential points by studying in these countries. But such actions cause us to be discouraged.
Through this letter, we intend to make our voices heard. For this reason, we request you help us clarify the following.
- First of all, please give us an explanation of the restrictions imposed on Iranian students in the field of research. Unfortunately, we don't even know what we are prohibited from doing. Accessing documents related to this law and reviewing it can be an initial but very decisive step for us.
- We want more cooperation between universities and laboratories with Iranian students. Unfortunately, internal restrictions in the past years, as well as recent events, have been a big enough stone in our path to pursue our goals. We request you think of arrangements with your prudent vision so that we lose fewer rights. Banning the education of an Iranian because of the use of a specific method without considering its peaceful uses, background, and goals of the individual is unfair.
