A group of superior students and representatives of student organizations met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, October 16.
In their meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic, the students expressed their views on various issues, including the need to make greater efforts to administer social justice, decide on research priorities in academic circles, establish closer links between universities and industrial centers and support elite students in deprived regions.
Among other major issues brought up by the students were the need to adopt a firm and well-meditated policy toward defending the scientific achievements of the Iranian nation in the field of nuclear energy, draw up a national nuclear charter on countering nuclear apartheid, curtail bureaucracy in the higher education sector and take stronger action against economic corruption.
The students further said that greater attention should be paid to cultural problems existing in society, and they also called on political groups and parties to seriously reconsider their performance and try to bring it in line with the people's real demands and expectations.
In an address to the audience following the students' remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei called on student circles to earnestly study the historical status and political geography of the Islamic Republic.
"Today, the Islamic Republic of Iran is the pivot of an unflagging international collective identity relying on religious faith which is standing up to and defying the global hegemonic system," Ayatollah Khamenei told the students.
The Leader further stated, "Our Islamic system enjoys the strong support of other Muslim nations. Indeed, Muslim nations in various countries constitute the strategic depth of the Islamic Republic."
Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that the establishment of a political system in Iran based on religion, spirituality and justice, a political system which enjoys the great support of the Iranian nation and which has a remarkable strategic depth in the world, has upset the arrogant and expansionist powers.
"The Islamic Republic of Iran has stood firm despite all the pressures and threats, and it has also made considerable progress in various fields of science and technology," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic referred to the role of economic power wielded by domination-seeking countries in fomenting poverty, war, violence and crises in various countries and in bringing aggressive regimes like the Zionist regime to power. He stressed that domineering powers are also making use of artistic means and even religion to attain their goals.
Hinting at the fact that defying and standing up to the global hegemonic system requires prudence, perseverance, wisdom and scientific knowledge, Ayatollah Khamenei stated, "Scientific power forms the basis and foundation of the power and strength of the Iranian nation, and universities play a pivotal role in increasing the scientific power of our nation."
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader told the audience that the purpose of holding meetings with students was to hear their sincere views on various issues, to put emphasis on the worth and merit of scientific knowledge and noble scientific objectives and to honor intellectual and talented students.
At the end of the meeting, the students said their evening and night prayers, which were led by Ayatollah Khamenei. Then, the participants at the meeting broke their fast in the presence of the Leader of the Islamic Republic.