Number of Iranian students returning from abroad increases by 20%

The number of Iranian students returning from abroad has increased by 20 percent mostly due to financial problems and rise of foreign currency rates, said Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Trend reports

"A considerable part of Iranian students receive funds from universities, while others are assisted by their families and, thus, face financial problem due to foreign currency fluctuation," said Mojtaba Sedighi.

In his words, Iranian students are facing problem in foreign universities, as they cannot afford high foreign currency rate from free market; hence, most of them quit education and return to Iran.

"The students should be confident that they get financial support or funds from foreign universities before leaving Iran," he added.

The Minister of Science, Research and Technology has halted the process of government financial support to Iranian students in foreign universities, due to foreign currency policies.

"Iran (government) will only support less than 20 student at foreign universities in specific majors during current Iranian year (started March 21 ,2019)," said the minister Mansour Gholami in May.

The Iranian students abroad have faced problems in obtaining official foreign currency rate due to strict policies of the Central Bank of Iran. Students are only allowed to take $15,000 out of the country through selected agent banks –Tejarat and Saman – and on the basis of free market rates.

"Opportunities are created for the returning students so that they can continue their studies in Iranian universities," Sedighi added.