Help fund my PhD to help Iran
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Introduction
Greetings and salutations. My name is Reza Khanzadeh, I have recently been admitted to the University of Oxford to pursue my PhD in Education . I am seeking donations of any amount to assist my expenses for this upcoming 2017-2018 academic year.
Any amount you are willing to contribute would be much appreciated, for my aspirations in pursuing a PhD is a selfless endeavor in order to catapult my career to a level where I can have an influence on policy decisions that I believe will improve the standard of living for an entire country.
Below, you can read more about me as well as my PhD dissertation. I appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you.
About Me
Growing up an Iranian and a Muslim in America has been an amazing experience. Throughout my life I have witnessed the best and worst in people. At an early age I realized that many of my interactions would be couched within the narrative of Iran (more broadly, history), Islam (religion), terrorism and/or the Middle East (politics). While my friends and family shied away from such conversations I was the complete opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about other views and beliefs as well as sharing my own within a civil collaboration of ideas. As I grew older my view, attitude, and approach in everything I did was deliberately orchestrated to ensure that an open and compassionate line of dialogue was always present with everyone I came into contact with.
Fast forward to my second year of undergrad, the horrific events of 9/11, the subsequent “axis of evil” policy of the Bush administration, and I found myself increasingly engaged in debates where I had to explain – and at times defend – my country and my religion. I willingly shouldered the awesome responsibility of being the (unofficial) spokesman for all Iranians and Muslims in every conversation that required it. This came about after realizing that many Americans were meeting an Iranian and/or a Muslim for the very first time. I also learned that not only were they misinformed about the two, but I was ill-equipped to properly and accurately explain my nationality and faith. I decided then to dedicate my academic and professional career to these matters.
For the next twelve years I pursued degrees in Religion (BA), Islamic Studies (MA), and International Relations (MA). I also visited, lived and worked in Iran, off and on, during that time. As I gained life experiences in Iran I realized that the country’s higher education system has many flaws that is strangling the country's economy, causing a brain drain and leaving many graduates unemployed. For the past five years I have worked at the UN, human rights organizations, think tanks and advocacy non-profits with the intent of trying to improve US-Iran relations as well as the standard of living for Iranian citizens.
Most notably, my work at the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Iran. In 2013 I provided research, translation, data analysis, and writing services on portions of two published reports: The Cost of Faith and The Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The work we accomplished contributed to the release of eleven political prisoners, including Nasrin Sotoudeh, in that same year.
Soon after my work within human rights I moved on to diplomatic work at the American Iranian Council (AIC), where I provided research, translation, editing and writing services during the Iran nuclear negotiations. From AIC I went to the National Iranian American Council where I have been involved in our grassroots work in ensuring the civil liberties of Iranian Americans are not infringed upon. Simultaneously, I took on a leadership role as the Director of Operations at the US-Iran Chamber of Commerce where we strive to increase business relations and economic stability for businesses and people inside Iran.
Even though my professional career has been a modest success, I still find myself wanting to do more, seeking to not only make this world a better place but inspire many to do good. After years of living and working in Iran I have experienced and witnessed, first hand, the pain and hopelessness that shadows virtually everyone. Citizens no longer dream or aspire for a better life, but rather struggle to maintain a basic livelihood for themselves and their loved ones. My passion towards and sense of obligation to such a cause is rooted in this. I am convinced now more than ever that only through academia will I be able to have the greatest impact. I cannot think of another arena where I am able to shape the current discourse and the future leaders of our world at the same time.
My PhD Dissertation
As stated before it is at higher education that I argue a need for reform. The following is a brief excerpt from my dissertation.
Upon entering their junior year of high school, students must declare their intended area of study. Their final two years thus consisting of a specialized concentration, with their senior curriculum tailored towards their collegiate major (as a result, many seniors attend vocational schools). By the end of high school, students prepare for the National Entrance Exam (or konkur), which is the sole deciding factor in admittance to college. In addition to preparing for a four-subject general exam (Persian, Arabic, Religion and English) and a three-subject specific exam (dependent on one’s area of focus) they must provide a list, during registration, of the majors they wish to pursue. After completing a grueling five-hour exam with millions of other students nationwide, the top eighty percent are admitted. To ensure that each program has a proportionate number of students, a national quota is imposed on colleges and universities. This means that even those who are admitted are not guaranteed the major or the school of their choice unless their scores place them in the top three percent of their respected field. The remaining students are obliged to select a major and/or school from a predetermined list provided by a branch of Iran’s Department of Education called the National Education Assessment. Thus, prior to the start of their collegiate career there is already a large number of students majoring in a field they may have little-to-no interest in pursuing professionally.
Furthermore, if a student wishes to change majors, she/he cannot simply request or declare it. They must re-take the konkur, requiring a year off from school to properly prepare and hope their scores are high enough to be accepted in the major of their choice. In doing so will cause them to fall behind at least one year, but quite possibly two or three depending on when they change majors and how much of their previous credits transfer. Because of this high difficulty, most students begrudgingly decide to continue their education and graduate in a field that was not their first choice.
Conclusion
After five years in the non-profit sector and experiencing the difficulties in truly making a positive impact on the issues that are dear to my heart I have once again gravitated back towards academia. My love for education was apparent since my undergraduate years at West Virginia University (WVU) where I pursued two bachelor degrees and maintained a magna cum laude and dean’s list distinction. I was also awarded the William Sturgis Scholarship along with multiple other academic accolades: Outstanding Student Honor Society, National Exemplary Scholars in Service to name a few. I graduated from a top 200 school in WVU and attended a top 25 school at the University of Virginia for my first masters in Islamic Studies, followed by an MA in International Relations at New York University.
My decision to return to school was nothing I took lightly. I have seen first-hand how change can really take shape and in order for me to really try to make this world a better place – by starting with my mother land – this PhD program is the first step. I thank you again, and if you decide not to donate, I hope that maybe you could share this with your family and friends.
Greetings and salutations. My name is Reza Khanzadeh, I have recently been admitted to the University of Oxford to pursue my PhD in Education . I am seeking donations of any amount to assist my expenses for this upcoming 2017-2018 academic year.
Any amount you are willing to contribute would be much appreciated, for my aspirations in pursuing a PhD is a selfless endeavor in order to catapult my career to a level where I can have an influence on policy decisions that I believe will improve the standard of living for an entire country.
Below, you can read more about me as well as my PhD dissertation. I appreciate your time and consideration. Thank you.
About Me
Growing up an Iranian and a Muslim in America has been an amazing experience. Throughout my life I have witnessed the best and worst in people. At an early age I realized that many of my interactions would be couched within the narrative of Iran (more broadly, history), Islam (religion), terrorism and/or the Middle East (politics). While my friends and family shied away from such conversations I was the complete opposite. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about other views and beliefs as well as sharing my own within a civil collaboration of ideas. As I grew older my view, attitude, and approach in everything I did was deliberately orchestrated to ensure that an open and compassionate line of dialogue was always present with everyone I came into contact with.
Fast forward to my second year of undergrad, the horrific events of 9/11, the subsequent “axis of evil” policy of the Bush administration, and I found myself increasingly engaged in debates where I had to explain – and at times defend – my country and my religion. I willingly shouldered the awesome responsibility of being the (unofficial) spokesman for all Iranians and Muslims in every conversation that required it. This came about after realizing that many Americans were meeting an Iranian and/or a Muslim for the very first time. I also learned that not only were they misinformed about the two, but I was ill-equipped to properly and accurately explain my nationality and faith. I decided then to dedicate my academic and professional career to these matters.
For the next twelve years I pursued degrees in Religion (BA), Islamic Studies (MA), and International Relations (MA). I also visited, lived and worked in Iran, off and on, during that time. As I gained life experiences in Iran I realized that the country’s higher education system has many flaws that is strangling the country's economy, causing a brain drain and leaving many graduates unemployed. For the past five years I have worked at the UN, human rights organizations, think tanks and advocacy non-profits with the intent of trying to improve US-Iran relations as well as the standard of living for Iranian citizens.
Most notably, my work at the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of Human Rights in Iran. In 2013 I provided research, translation, data analysis, and writing services on portions of two published reports: The Cost of Faith and The Situation of Human Rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The work we accomplished contributed to the release of eleven political prisoners, including Nasrin Sotoudeh, in that same year.
Soon after my work within human rights I moved on to diplomatic work at the American Iranian Council (AIC), where I provided research, translation, editing and writing services during the Iran nuclear negotiations. From AIC I went to the National Iranian American Council where I have been involved in our grassroots work in ensuring the civil liberties of Iranian Americans are not infringed upon. Simultaneously, I took on a leadership role as the Director of Operations at the US-Iran Chamber of Commerce where we strive to increase business relations and economic stability for businesses and people inside Iran.
Even though my professional career has been a modest success, I still find myself wanting to do more, seeking to not only make this world a better place but inspire many to do good. After years of living and working in Iran I have experienced and witnessed, first hand, the pain and hopelessness that shadows virtually everyone. Citizens no longer dream or aspire for a better life, but rather struggle to maintain a basic livelihood for themselves and their loved ones. My passion towards and sense of obligation to such a cause is rooted in this. I am convinced now more than ever that only through academia will I be able to have the greatest impact. I cannot think of another arena where I am able to shape the current discourse and the future leaders of our world at the same time.
My PhD Dissertation
As stated before it is at higher education that I argue a need for reform. The following is a brief excerpt from my dissertation.
Upon entering their junior year of high school, students must declare their intended area of study. Their final two years thus consisting of a specialized concentration, with their senior curriculum tailored towards their collegiate major (as a result, many seniors attend vocational schools). By the end of high school, students prepare for the National Entrance Exam (or konkur), which is the sole deciding factor in admittance to college. In addition to preparing for a four-subject general exam (Persian, Arabic, Religion and English) and a three-subject specific exam (dependent on one’s area of focus) they must provide a list, during registration, of the majors they wish to pursue. After completing a grueling five-hour exam with millions of other students nationwide, the top eighty percent are admitted. To ensure that each program has a proportionate number of students, a national quota is imposed on colleges and universities. This means that even those who are admitted are not guaranteed the major or the school of their choice unless their scores place them in the top three percent of their respected field. The remaining students are obliged to select a major and/or school from a predetermined list provided by a branch of Iran’s Department of Education called the National Education Assessment. Thus, prior to the start of their collegiate career there is already a large number of students majoring in a field they may have little-to-no interest in pursuing professionally.
Furthermore, if a student wishes to change majors, she/he cannot simply request or declare it. They must re-take the konkur, requiring a year off from school to properly prepare and hope their scores are high enough to be accepted in the major of their choice. In doing so will cause them to fall behind at least one year, but quite possibly two or three depending on when they change majors and how much of their previous credits transfer. Because of this high difficulty, most students begrudgingly decide to continue their education and graduate in a field that was not their first choice.
Conclusion
After five years in the non-profit sector and experiencing the difficulties in truly making a positive impact on the issues that are dear to my heart I have once again gravitated back towards academia. My love for education was apparent since my undergraduate years at West Virginia University (WVU) where I pursued two bachelor degrees and maintained a magna cum laude and dean’s list distinction. I was also awarded the William Sturgis Scholarship along with multiple other academic accolades: Outstanding Student Honor Society, National Exemplary Scholars in Service to name a few. I graduated from a top 200 school in WVU and attended a top 25 school at the University of Virginia for my first masters in Islamic Studies, followed by an MA in International Relations at New York University.
My decision to return to school was nothing I took lightly. I have seen first-hand how change can really take shape and in order for me to really try to make this world a better place – by starting with my mother land – this PhD program is the first step. I thank you again, and if you decide not to donate, I hope that maybe you could share this with your family and friends.
Organiser
Reza Khanzadeh
Organiser
Garrisonville Estates, VA
