The road to Swedish Universities has just become shorter for Iranian students. A result of EU lifting sanctions towards Iran could help facilitate the students’ situation in Sweden.
During Saturday evening the notification came that Iran has fulfilled their commitments included in the nuclear deal made with the major powers to reduce the country’s nuclear programme.
This results in that both EU and USA are lifting their long-standing economic sanctions towards Iran. This means Iran regains some of their frozen assets, but also that the country can once again practice international trade unhindered.
A victory for Iranian students
The now lifted sanctions are also a victory for the Iranian students – as the sanctions caused problems with studying abroad.
In Lund, Iranian students have among other things been denied opening a bank account or depositing money to an existing account. The banks have pointed towards the sanctions and the students have been suspected of money laundering. But now the problems are but a distant memory.
The External relations division at Lund University has yet to make a proper investigation regarding the effects the lifted sanctions might have. But many things indicate Sweden could become a more attractive destination for Iranian students.
Great reduction the last years
“This should make it easier for Iranian students to come to Sweden and Lund University. The number has gone down throughout the years as a result of the sanctions”, says Richard Stenelo, Head of Office at External relations division.
But already now you can see an increase in Iranian students. By the 16th of January this year, 74 Iranian students paid the registration fee for studies taking place in autumn – that is more than double the amount of students when comparing to the same time last year. Now External relations aim to make an offensive regarding Iranian students.
“We have begun to talk about how we will act and if we should do interventions in Iran. It currently looks like that”, says Richard Stenelo.
Iranian students have a good reputation
He continues by saying Iranian students generally have a good reputation at the University, and the lifted sanctions against the country are good for the University from a recruitment perspective.
“Iranian students are regarded to have very good character, and many programmes want Iranian students. From a recruitment standpoint, this is excellent for Lund University”, says Richard Stenelo.
The External relations division will come to a decision this April on how to invest in the Iranian students.
Translation: Viktor Jönsson
