Research Week: Revisiting Our Responsibility for Iran’s Scientific Future

It is with great pleasure that we approach Research Week, which, in the words of the Supreme Leader, is “a prominent symbol of the advancement of research in various fields across the country.” In a world where the pace of scientific and technological developments rapidly crosses yesterday’s boundaries, we can no longer rely solely on past achievements to shape the future. Today, the true power of nations lies not merely in underground resources but in “brainpower” and the ability to generate indigenous knowledge.

Thanks to the Islamic Revolution, the continuous emphasis of Imam Khomeini and the Supreme Leader, and the efforts of martyr-scientists across different fields, the Islamic Republic of Iran has transformed from a country that imported knowledge into one that produces and exports knowledge in many domains.

Today, in areas such as peaceful nuclear technology, stem cells, nanotechnology, defense and missile industries, aerospace, biotechnology and medicine, artificial intelligence, and the knowledge-based economy, Iran ranks among the top 15 countries in the world. These achievements are the result of the sacrifices of thousands of anonymous martyr-researchers who tirelessly work in laboratories, technology parks, and innovation centers for the dignity and power of Iran.

However, we must acknowledge that we are still far from reaching the peaks of a modern Islamic civilization. In many research indicators, we lag behind the global average. Our research budget has not yet reached 1% of GDP, industry-university collaboration remains incomplete, and part of our brightest talent continues to leave the country for various reasons.

This is where our responsibility as officials becomes heavier. We must:

Increase research funding sustainably and translate slogans into action.

Remove bureaucratic obstacles for researchers and restore trust in the scientific community.

Institutionalize effective collaboration between universities, industry, and government to ensure knowledge addresses real national challenges.

Support the commercialization of research results so that genuine—not nominal—knowledge-based companies grow.

Most importantly, give young elites and researchers real opportunities, trust them, and actively promote reverse brain drain, not just in words but in practice.

Research Week is not merely a calendar event; it is an opportunity to reassess our commitments to Iran’s future. At the Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation, we are committed to taking bold steps in the coming year, in collaboration with all relevant institutions, to achieve a “knowledge-based strong Iran.”

Finally, I sincerely thank all researchers, inventors, innovators, and devoted professors who, despite all hardships, have kept the flag of Iranian science high. You are the true assets of this nation. I hope that next year, as we celebrate Research Week again, we can present even greater achievements to the noble people of Iran.

Yaqub Soleimani
Deputy for Culture and Education
Martyrs and Veterans Affairs Foundation