Corruption of science and education in Iran

Under the rule of the Islamic Theocracy in Iran since 1978 revolution, the status of science and education has been dramtically affected in the country. In particular, following the so-called Iranian Cultural Revolution and Islamization of Universities after a shutdown period, the quality of science and technology required for development has dropped significantly.
Over twenty five years admission of pro-regime scholars and teachers who are usually academically unqualified (or less-qualified) has largely defaced higher education in Iran through creation of a more religious and politically biased environment rather than a scientifically oriented one. On the other hand, appointment of clerics and senior officials to key administrative positions in universties combined with the force-retirement, expulsion and persecution of dissident scholars and secular academics in the past few years has resulted in an increasing rate of brain drain.
The Islamic regime of Iran, relying on the oil revenue, is viewed as one of the most corrupted states in the world . The widespread corruption, that has gradually made its way to the country's educational system, combined with policies to islamize universities have had drastic consequences in terms of lack of academic integrity and commitment to scientific principles and standards, particularly observed among politicians and senior officials who seek promotion and financial benefit in higher education.
Some better-known instances of such misconducts in recent years include cases of plagiarism by Masoumeh Ebtekar former vice president (Mohammad Khatami), Kamran Daneshjoo the minister of science and higher education and Hamid Behbahani the minister of roads and transportation (both serving in President Ahmadinejad's cabinet) , presenting fake academic degree by late Ali Kordan former interior minister and other academic misconducts.

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