UMass reverses policy on Iranian students

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Source: Boston Globe

AMHERST — The University of Massachusetts Amherst on Wednesday backed away from its policy barring Iranians from graduate engineering programs, just days after its aggressive new response to US sanctions sparked a groundswell of protests from students and faculty.

After consulting with the US State Department, UMass officials said Iranian nationals can enroll in chemical, computer, and mechanical engineering studies — as long as their planned studies do not run afoul of federal sanctions intended to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

“If . . . they are qualified students, we are more than happy to have them come here,” said Michael Malone, vice chancellor for research and engagement. “We’re trying to find a way forward through a fairly complicated landscape.”

Students at the state’s flagship campus who had protested the initial decision when it was announced to students on Feb. 12 said they welcomed the shift — with some reservations.

Read more: http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2015/02/18/umass-reverses-policy-barring-iranians-from-graduate-programs/kVXuNqRHzVM7R168oJ4PjP/story.html

[Cha]

1. That's interesting.. mahalo alp