With the controversy swirling around the Dutch governments recent decision to exclude Iranian students from studying potentially nuclear-sensitive subjects at the country’s universities of technology, this week the English Page meets Mahsa Motegh, a young, talented PhD student from Iran.
JULIAN FULTON
Mahsa Motegh always wanted to be a pilot, an actress or a singer while growing up in Tehran, Iran. But at 26, she’s a shining example of TU Delft’s competitive and international atmosphere. After completing her MSc last year, Motegh is now a PhD candidate in the Process and Energy Laboratory.
Her research in ‘Application of Smart moving PEAS-based (Process Environment Actuators and Sensors) UWB-technology in the Process Industry’ is aiming to optimize hydrodynamic design of equipment in processes such as crystallization.
Having lived in the Netherlands for over two years, Motegh has adjusted to the Dutch lifestyle, even enjoying some Dutch food. But still she remembers her roots, and might just as easily be found singing karaoke from her homeland as tuning her special sensors.
Why did you choose to leave Iran and go abroad to study?
“After graduating from the University of Tehran in 2004, I was selected by the International Association for Exchanging Students with Technical Experience to participate in the two-month training program at the Chemical Engineering Institute of the Technical University of Vienna, where I developed my interest in Separations Technology assisting a project on recycling the rubber from old tires. I learned how to put the theory into practice and was able to make a positive impression in a new environment. It was my first time living and working abroad, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I was very impressed by the university atmosphere there and the attractiveness of Vienna and its culture, I thought of applying for a Master’s program at TU Vienna, but the program was in German, so I decided to look for other possibilities abroad and eventually found TU Delft.”
Do you imagine yourself returning to Iran after you finish your PhD?
“This is a very long-term planning. I miss my family, friends, my people and the beauty of the Persian culture, but my career is an important determining factor in choosing where to live. After I finished my MSc here, the job opportunities in Iran didn’t tempt me to go back, so I decided to do my PhD here. Eventually I’ll stay somewhere where I can find a satisfying job in my field.”
Have you learned Dutch?
“Een beetje…I tried following a course at TBM faculty but it didn’t work out, as I had several other courses to follow. Still, I learn from my Dutch friends, as they often will just talk to me in Dutch, so I’m forced to understand. I’m going to follow an intensive Dutch course starting in March, and I’m looking forward to speaking in Dutch in the near future.”
What languages do you speak?
“English, Persian, a bit of Dutch and Arabic. Also I learned a northwestern regional Iranian language called Gilaki from my aunt who comes from that region. Gilaki shares many features and structures with Zazaki, which is spoken in eastern Turkey.”
Do you feel like you are working in an international university?
“Yes, definitely. Especially in our section. Our section head has the policy of taking not more than two PhDs from the same country, which makes our section very international and we have many countries represented.”
What is your opinion of Dutch food?
“I don’t like Dutch fried snacks, but the traditional Dutch dishes that I tried are normally healthy and simple, so every once in a while I like to try some Dutch food.”
If you were not a scientist, what would you be?
“I would say an actress or a singer. I have always had this passion for acting and performing, but since my parents and teachers found me talented in mathematics and physics, they guided me through the other passion of mine, which was to become a researcher.”
What do you think about the potential for war in Iran?
“It’s just a big game of power and I don’t find it rational, especially if it will result in a war. My view is that the terms ‘winner’ and ‘victory’ cannot be defined for any war. It’s enough to look back on Iraq during the last 4-5 years . the people who have been injured, killed and are still suffering the consequences of war . to realize that are no winners in wars.”
What about the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program?
“From an ‘energy perspective’, considering the depletion of oil and natural gas, and our growing population, nuclear energy must be a potential source of energy. Every country has the right to nuclear technology on the condition that it can manage reactors and waste in a responsible way. Iran should be able to continue its work on nuclear energy, however it should also act with international treaties such as IAEA. Provoking people should not be on its agenda.”
Do you think this is the best solution for Iran?
“I wouldn’t consider nuclear the most sustainable form of energy, and I think we should invest in more alternative sources of energy. The fact that Iran is naturally granted with oil and natural gas resources has hindered our motivation to invest on more sustainable energy. But I know from experience that other options are being pursued. I worked for a summer in a renewable energy section of an engineering company that was planning a liquefied hydrogen power plant.”
Do you think the USA has the right to say who can and cannot pursue nuclear technology?
“There shouldn’t be any double-standards in this respect. It’s not fair, not rational, and not ethical. No country can deprive other countries of developing peaceful nuclear technology especially if they have already developed it themselves. Likewise, no country should react against other countries because of their nuclear programs without UN Security Council authorization. Not considering my nationalistic feelings, I can still say that it’s not ethical.”
For a listing of this week’s Study Breaks, go to: www.delta.tudelft.nl
JULIAN FULTON
Mahsa Motegh always wanted to be a pilot, an actress or a singer while growing up in Tehran, Iran. But at 26, she’s a shining example of TU Delft’s competitive and international atmosphere. After completing her MSc last year, Motegh is now a PhD candidate in the Process and Energy Laboratory.
Her research in ‘Application of Smart moving PEAS-based (Process Environment Actuators and Sensors) UWB-technology in the Process Industry’ is aiming to optimize hydrodynamic design of equipment in processes such as crystallization.
Having lived in the Netherlands for over two years, Motegh has adjusted to the Dutch lifestyle, even enjoying some Dutch food. But still she remembers her roots, and might just as easily be found singing karaoke from her homeland as tuning her special sensors.
Why did you choose to leave Iran and go abroad to study?
“After graduating from the University of Tehran in 2004, I was selected by the International Association for Exchanging Students with Technical Experience to participate in the two-month training program at the Chemical Engineering Institute of the Technical University of Vienna, where I developed my interest in Separations Technology assisting a project on recycling the rubber from old tires. I learned how to put the theory into practice and was able to make a positive impression in a new environment. It was my first time living and working abroad, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. As I was very impressed by the university atmosphere there and the attractiveness of Vienna and its culture, I thought of applying for a Master’s program at TU Vienna, but the program was in German, so I decided to look for other possibilities abroad and eventually found TU Delft.”
Do you imagine yourself returning to Iran after you finish your PhD?
“This is a very long-term planning. I miss my family, friends, my people and the beauty of the Persian culture, but my career is an important determining factor in choosing where to live. After I finished my MSc here, the job opportunities in Iran didn’t tempt me to go back, so I decided to do my PhD here. Eventually I’ll stay somewhere where I can find a satisfying job in my field.”
Have you learned Dutch?
“Een beetje…I tried following a course at TBM faculty but it didn’t work out, as I had several other courses to follow. Still, I learn from my Dutch friends, as they often will just talk to me in Dutch, so I’m forced to understand. I’m going to follow an intensive Dutch course starting in March, and I’m looking forward to speaking in Dutch in the near future.”
What languages do you speak?
“English, Persian, a bit of Dutch and Arabic. Also I learned a northwestern regional Iranian language called Gilaki from my aunt who comes from that region. Gilaki shares many features and structures with Zazaki, which is spoken in eastern Turkey.”
Do you feel like you are working in an international university?
“Yes, definitely. Especially in our section. Our section head has the policy of taking not more than two PhDs from the same country, which makes our section very international and we have many countries represented.”
What is your opinion of Dutch food?
“I don’t like Dutch fried snacks, but the traditional Dutch dishes that I tried are normally healthy and simple, so every once in a while I like to try some Dutch food.”
If you were not a scientist, what would you be?
“I would say an actress or a singer. I have always had this passion for acting and performing, but since my parents and teachers found me talented in mathematics and physics, they guided me through the other passion of mine, which was to become a researcher.”
What do you think about the potential for war in Iran?
“It’s just a big game of power and I don’t find it rational, especially if it will result in a war. My view is that the terms ‘winner’ and ‘victory’ cannot be defined for any war. It’s enough to look back on Iraq during the last 4-5 years . the people who have been injured, killed and are still suffering the consequences of war . to realize that are no winners in wars.”
What about the conflict over Iran’s nuclear program?
“From an ‘energy perspective’, considering the depletion of oil and natural gas, and our growing population, nuclear energy must be a potential source of energy. Every country has the right to nuclear technology on the condition that it can manage reactors and waste in a responsible way. Iran should be able to continue its work on nuclear energy, however it should also act with international treaties such as IAEA. Provoking people should not be on its agenda.”
Do you think this is the best solution for Iran?
“I wouldn’t consider nuclear the most sustainable form of energy, and I think we should invest in more alternative sources of energy. The fact that Iran is naturally granted with oil and natural gas resources has hindered our motivation to invest on more sustainable energy. But I know from experience that other options are being pursued. I worked for a summer in a renewable energy section of an engineering company that was planning a liquefied hydrogen power plant.”
Do you think the USA has the right to say who can and cannot pursue nuclear technology?
“There shouldn’t be any double-standards in this respect. It’s not fair, not rational, and not ethical. No country can deprive other countries of developing peaceful nuclear technology especially if they have already developed it themselves. Likewise, no country should react against other countries because of their nuclear programs without UN Security Council authorization. Not considering my nationalistic feelings, I can still say that it’s not ethical.”
For a listing of this week’s Study Breaks, go to: www.delta.tudelft.nl
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