Two students from prominent Iranian universities, Yekta Mirzaei of Tehran University and Reyhaneh Ebrahimi Vandi of Al-Zahra University, have been temporarily suspended from their studies following disciplinary actions taken by their respective institutions.
Yekta Mirzaei
Yekta Mirzaei, a sociology student at Tehran University, was sentenced to a two-semester suspension by the university’s disciplinary committee. The decision was made on the grounds that she had violated the university’s dress code by failing to observe the mandatory hijab, disrespected student conduct guidelines, and allegedly insulted national or Islamic values. Of the two semesters, one will be enforced immediately, while the other is suspended. Mirzaei publicly shared the details of her suspension on her X account, bringing attention to the reasons behind the committee’s ruling.
Reyhaneh Ebrahim-Vandi
Similarly, Reyhaneh Ebrahim-Vandi, a counseling student admitted in 2021 at Al-Zahra University, was also given a two-semester suspension, which will be counted toward her academic years. The disciplinary committee’s decision was based on accusations of “causing chaos and disturbance on campus and spreading false information.”
In addition to this suspension, Reyhaneh Ebrahim-Vandi had previously been barred from entering the university last semester without due process, receiving only an oral notification and no formal written ruling. Despite her efforts to seek clarity, university officials have yet to provide a clear explanation for their actions.
These cases highlight the ongoing tensions between students and university authorities in Iran, particularly regarding issues of student conduct and the enforcement of strict regulations.
