Iran: Information on character tests for applicants in private universities such as Azad and Safayeh
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 December 1996 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | IRN25562.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Iran: Information on character tests for applicants in private universities such as Azad and Safayeh, 1 December 1996, IRN25562.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6acfd3c.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided during a 3 december 1996 telephone interview with a specialist on Iran at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia.
The source stated that Azad and Safayeh are semi-private universities because they are sponsored by the Iranian state. The source added that character tests are not systematically given to all applicants in Iranian universities, Azad and Safayeh included. This would be impossible to manage in practice since there are tens of thousands of new students every year. The source added, however, that cases of students being screened out from universities on the basis of character tests have occured in the past.
The source stated that students who successfully pass university entrance exams are subject to investigation by committees called Gozinesh. These committees conduct enquiries with neighbours, local shopkeepers, etc., regarding the prospective student's character, religiosity, family standing, etc. It is difficult to assess how extensive and systematic these enquiries are. The source was aware of past instances where the enquiries of the Gozinesh resulted in students being denied admission to universities. Currently these enquiries are more rigorous at the graduate level than the undergraduate level. The source was aware of only one case of a student who was accepted into a Ph. D programme and who was later denied entry because he/she has failed the "moral character test".
The source added that Gozinesh reports are occasionally used as a means to provide opportunities for less qualified candidates.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Specialist on Iran, George Mason University, Fairfax. 3 December 1996. Telephone interview.
Additional Sources Consulted
Three oral sources did not have information on this subject.