A number of academics, elites, and heads of universities and research centers met with Ayatollah Khamenei the Leader of the Islamic Revolution this afternoon.
At the beginning of this meeting, some of the academics present at the meeting expressed their views on academic, cultural, social, and political matters.
Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei stressed the need for conducting research in the country and said that research projects should be in line with the needs of the country.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that publication of research findings in the world is necessary but added: "Publishing papers should not be considered as a criterion for the country's scientific progress."
Referring to the views expressed by some of the academics about the country's comprehensive scientific plan, Ayatollah Khamenei said: "Such comments are indicative of the fact that the efforts by the officials in charge of the country's academic affairs to prepare a comprehensive scientific plan have not yet been translated into action."
He further stated that the efforts to prepare the country's comprehensive scientific plan should be stepped up and stated that the current planning in different scientific fields is not in line with the needs of the country. He added: "This problem can be solved through preparing a comprehensive scientific plan for the country."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that about two million of the country's three and a half million students currently study in different fields of the humanities and said that this is a matter for concern because the capacity of the country's universities and research centers is not enough for such high number of students.
He added: "Many fields of the human sciences are rooted in philosophies which are based on materialism and lack of belief in Islamic and divine teachings. Therefore, teaching these sciences will result in lack of belief in divine and Islamic teachings. These sciences will create doubts in the minds of students about their beliefs and religious principles."
Ayatollah Khamenei further stated that forming extra organizations in the scientific sector should be avoided and said: "Instead of increasing the number of organizations, the current groups and organizations should be strengthened. And scholarly, revolutionary, brave, and innovative figures should be used in places such as the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology."
Ayatollah Khamenei said that supporting academics is a constant policy of the Islamic Republic. He further added: "Under this moral and financial support, academics are also expected to consider themselves responsible towards students and the future of the country's scientific and educational affairs and have a strong presence at universities."
Elsewhere in his speech, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the post-election events and said: "These events were a determining political test for the country and the Islamic Republic could overcome these problems by relying on its great capacities."
Ayatollah Khamenei further reiterated: "Such events and issues were not, and will not be, entirely unexpected for the Islamic Republic, and that is due to the Islamic Republic's mission and the existence of various types of freedom within the framework of Islam."
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution stressed that the Islamic Republic's belief in freedom is real and not for tactical reasons, further adding: "Freedom in the Islamic Republic is genuine freedom which has been defined within the framework of Islam. The Islamic Republic categorically rejects the superficial western freedom, and it will not stand on any ceremony with the west in this regard."
His Eminence went on to delineate the responsibilities of different social classes in case of events like the post-election events. "Undoubtedly, academics are expected to seriously deal with this soft war, and this expectation far exceeds what is expected from students."
Ayatollah Khamenei added: "Students are the young officers of this war who are present on the scene and act within the frameworks after evaluating the situation. But academics are the commanders of this soft war."
He also reiterated: "The commanders of this war must engage in developing macro-level plans through understanding macro-level issues, identifying the enemy, and uncovering the enemy's plots. An academic who can fulfill this role will be a competent academic for the Islamic Republic in the present situation and in the future."
The Leader said that the most important duty of Iranian academics in the present situation is to help their students increase their critical thinking capabilities and to create an atmosphere of hope, dynamism, and scientific endeavor.
Ayatollah Khamenei said that providing opportunities for students to express their views is another duty of academics and universities. He added that accelerating the establishment of free forums in universities is the best way to create an atmosphere for the free exchange of views.
"If technical discussions in political, social, intellectual, and religious areas are held in the presence of competent and knowledgeable people, these discussions will not be dragged into society and no problems will be caused as a result," he noted.
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution also referred to the losses suffered by some people in the post-election events and added: "All the people who have been harmed in these events should know that the Islamic Republic has no intention of being lenient and merciful. Just as the Islamic Republic legally deals with those who openly oppose it, the perpetrators will also be dealt with within the framework of law and justice if a bad deed or a crime has been committed."
At the end of this meeting, the academics said their evening prayers led by Ayatollah Khamenei and broke their fast along with the Leader.