Chemnitz University of Technology condemns escalation of violence in Iran, declares solidarity with demonstrators and offers help

Chemnitz University of Technology is following the events in Iran - the death of the Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini during her imprisonment for an alleged violation of the Islamic dress code as well as the increasing violence against people demonstrating in light of this event, including at academic institutions such as Sharif University in Tehran - with great concern.

Together with the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and other German universities, it declares its solidarity with students as well as employees at universities in Iran who peacefully campaign for human rights and offers support for Iranian students and employees on site in Chemnitz as well as for students and scientists at risk in Iran as part of the DAAD's Hilde Domin scholarship program, with funds from the Federal Foreign Office, as well as the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's Philipp Schwartz Initiative.

"We are deeply saddened by the increasing violence against demonstrators in Iran, including many students and scholars, and condemn it in the strongest possible terms. Chemnitz University of Technology stands clearly and unequivocally for tolerance, diversity and cosmopolitanism - and thus at the side of the demonstrators in Iran who peacefully stand up for these values. We will provide the best possible support to our students and employees from Iran as well as to students and scientists in Iran who are at risk," says Prof. Dr. Gerd Strohmeier, President of Chemnitz University of Technology.

Support services for Iranian students and employees of Chemnitz University of Technology

In addition to the psychological support services offered by the Psychosocial Counseling Center (Psychosoziale Beratungsstelle) of Chemnitz University of Technology, those affected can also take advantage of the services offered by the Psychotherapeutic University Outpatient Clinic (Psychotherapeutische Hochschulambulanz) in Chemnitz. The Virtual Safe Space of the International Office of Chemnitz University of Technology is available for members of the university, regardless of their respective location, anonymously and free of charge for counseling.

Support services for students and scientists at risk in Iran

The DAAD’s Hilde Domin scholarship program, funded by the German Foreign Office, is offered at the International Office for at-risk students and doctoral candidates. It is open to students and doctoral candidates who are in danger in their home countries and who are denied their right to education and research - including those from Iran. The next call for proposals is expected to be published shortly.

The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's Philipp Schwartz Initiative is regularly advertised at the International Office for researchers at risk. It supports researchers who are unable to conduct research freely due to repression or danger to life and limb. It is expected that an application will be possible again in spring 2023.

The International Office is available to answer questions about either program.

Matthias Fejes
09.10.2022

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