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On his first visit to Sanandaj in July 2015, President Rouhani announced the prospects of introducing Kurdish language studies as well as a Kurdish language and literature programme at the University of Kurdistan, the province's largest university. The initiative, which is set to take effect from October 2015, has been received with dubiety. Mr As’ad Ardalan, a political analyst and professor of international law, told Al-Monitor that ‘’It [the decision] could be regarded as a significant point in the eyes of those who do not know the history behind it and are not aware of the latest developments in the requirements and status of Kurds in other countries in the region.”