According to the Public Relations Office of the University of Kurdistan, Mr. Mehdi Pendar, speaking at the "Symposium for Managers of University Selection Committees" held at the University of Isfahan, stated, "A portion of the country's economic growth is contingent upon enhancing human capital and the proper selection of individuals. This process constitutes the bedrock of the nation's administrative and financial integrity." Highlighting the sensitivity and difficulty of the selection process due to its direct impact on individuals' futures, he added, "Through proper selection, we can maintain an internally clean, efficient, and productive administrative system. Effective selection is a preventative measure that requires a strategic outlook."

The Imperative of Revising Selection Criteria
The Deputy Minister clarified that the objective of selection committees is to choose elites who possess both commitment and expertise. "Today, we cannot operate with the selection criteria of forty years ago. Society, values, and the work environment have evolved, and competency standards must be redefined to align with new conditions," he asserted. Pendar noted that every selection decision can shape an individual's future, and therefore, the modernization of criteria must remain a constant priority.

Upholding Human Dignity and Independence: Two Inviolable Principles
He deemed the avoidance of prying into individuals' private lives and the preservation of human dignity as non-negotiable principles at all stages of the selection process. "Fairness and trustworthiness in judgment are mandatory. Investigating personal affairs is strictly forbidden, and no one has the right to inquire about private matters or individual sins," he stated. Dr. Pendar also stressed the autonomy of selection committees, adding, "Undue pressure from certain individuals or authorities regarding specific cases is unacceptable. Selection committees must make their decisions with complete independence, free from any pressure or informal recommendations."

Pursuing Improved Livelihoods for Staff and New Employment Permits
In conclusion, the Deputy Minister announced efforts to improve the financial conditions of selection committee staff under the 14th administration. "The revision of the special bonus regulations is underway by order of the Minister, incorporating provisions such as the board of trustees' allowance, hardship pay, and technical rights for employees," he said. He expressed hope that, upon receiving the necessary authorizations, several thousand new employment permits would soon be issued for universities and higher education centers, facilitating a centralized and systematic recruitment and selection process.