Basij to strengthen university presence

OSC has translated an important article from the Persian daily Javan (Youth) on the presence of the Basij paramilitary force on university campuses. The Basij already has a notable presence on Iranian university campuses (it functions something like a mix between the ROTC and an ideological band of hall monitors), but it will be refocusing its role starting in the fall. This is yet another outcome of the IRGC's restructuring campaign, which continues to stress the Basij's centrality to Iran's (new) approach to military strategy and culture.

Also see the Fars News report (in Persian).

Head of student volunteer force explains plan for reforming, improving the force
Javan
Wednesday, July 23, 2008 T00:52:23Z

Head of student volunteer force explains plan for reforming, improving the force

Iran desk: The head of the Student Basij (volunteer) Organization has been explaining about a plan for transforming and improving student Basij at universities throughout the country.

Reza Seraj, the head of nationwide Student Basij Organization, speaking in an interview given to Fars new agency about a plan for transforming and improving the student Basij movement, said: Transformation and improvement are set on the agenda of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and its five forces according to the guidelines of the Supreme Leader and the Basij resistance force also has endeavoured most earnestly for improvement and transformation to the same extent.

Stating that as a progressive and pioneering stratum the Student Basij has undertaken a most serious move for making the transformation and improvement plan operational, he went on to make clear: The moves were organized from four months ago with the formation of a reform and improvement working group in the Student Basij. During the four months while the vulnerabilities of the Student Basij were identified, efforts were made to bring about a suitable situation and draw up an operational strategy for achieving the desired status.

The head of the Student Basij Organization referred to the point that in the reform and improvement plan a macro policy and 12 further policies have been envisaged for the student Basij. A collection of those policies, he said, specify the way to achieve the desired status and pointed out: The policies collectively lead to transformation in the domains of strategy, outlook, structure and approach of the student Basij.

Continuing his explanations about the nationwide student Basij reform and improvement plan, Seraj said: Through a meticulous and ordered plan efforts were made to hold seminars with those involved in the student Basij movement throughout the country, especially Basij students. In addition to that through visits to 15 provinces of the country the preliminary stages of the plan were explained to student Basij officials and the students' critical comments and points of view were gathered. On the whole efforts were made for the plan to be completed gradually.

Explaining that the reform and improvement plan for the student Basij has been approved by the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps and the students' views and critical comments have been implemented in the plan, he pointed out: Following all the summations, the great plan will be presented in the workshop of reform and improvement for the student Basij at universities throughout the country.

The head of the Student Basij Organization noted that the plan has five steps and the first of those is organizing. He went on to point out: The first step will be implemented before the restart of universities in the new term. Explaining that the student Basij movement earnestly concentrates on three issues in this reform and improvement plan, he said: Enhancement of spirituality, knowledge, insight and expertise among all the Basij students, making operational issues such as assisting the efficiency of the government, provision of service and ideological work for resolving the challenges and problems of the country. Those are matters that the Supreme Leader expects of the student Basij. Furthermore, student Basij is audience-centred, a crucial issue that is the subject of serious endeavours. In the meantime, cultural programmes have been envisaged in the plan for every university student.

He stressed the point that in this plan student Basis will carry out all-round efforts to help with the Islamization of universities, generating greater enthusiasm among young students and the training of the required force for the realization of the 20 Year Projection Plan. He also pointed out: In its new policy, which is a transforming policy, the student Basij will carry out special efforts to deepen the ruling system and the revolution. In that course of action scientific jihad is one of the most important policies of student Basij.