In 2023, M. Kashani, who worked as an architectural engineer at the university of Southampton at the time, was informed by TU/e that he would be appointed as a professor at the Department of the Built Environment. The Brit was under the impression that his appointment was final, until the Executive Board, which had yet to formally approve his appointment, decided to revoke it after all. Kashani claims that he was discriminated against based on his Iranian background.

TU/e stresses that there was no discrimination involved. “As was claimed without substantiation by the applicant’s lawyer,” says a spokesperson. However, the court found that it was the university that did not properly substantiate why it withdrew the appointment. TU/e acknowledges and regrets that it gave the impression the employment contract was as good as finalized, and had therefore previously made a settlement offer. That amount was rejected. The opposing party has demanded a sum of 100,000 euros.

Embarrassment

The lawsuit is an embarrassment for the university, and for the Department of the Built Environment in particular. The department has only just overcome a crisis of trust. In the same year that Kashani applied for the professorship, three professors resigned following a breach of trust. The department faculty had only just charted its path forward. When asked by Cursor about the lawsuit, TU/e offers minimal comment.

“This case concerns staff recruitment and we are bound by privacy in that regard for good reasons,” the spokesperson informs. He does say that the university is vigilant in preventing any form of discrimination. He also points to the university’s “highly international community.” “With employees from 92 different countries, including more than 130 from Iran. That diversity and connection to the world is of great added value for the quality of science and education.”

TU/e will examine how to prevent incidents like the one with Kashani from happening in the future. The court will make its ruling on May 15.