A large group of young academic elites and superior students met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Sunday, September 25.
The students included those who had ranked first in the entrance examinations to the Iranian universities, those who had obtained medals in the international scientific Olympiads, those who had won prizes in the Kharazmi and Razi festivals and a number of exemplary students.
Some 16 young elites and top students expressed their views on various academic and scientific issues as well as on research and student affairs for nearly two hours in their meeting with the Leader of the Islamic Republic. They also made some suggestions for raising the level of science and technology and accelerating the country's progress and development.
Speaking to the students, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the meeting as the symbol of potentials and capabilities of the Iranian nation. He also emphasized that the Islamic Revolution played a crucial role in infusing self-confidence and self-reliance in the Iranian people, especially in Iranian youngsters.
"The Iranian nation, relying on its young elites and talented and superior students and through appropriate planning, vigorous efforts and perseverance, is trying to cover the distance currently existing between the country's scientific and technological status and the peak of scientific and technological progress in the world, and it will soon reach the peak of global science and technology," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience.
Further in his statements, the Leader expressed pleasure over the views expressed and the suggestions made by the young elites. He noted that the officials of the Islamic Republic have always been trying to fulfill the expectations of talented Iranian youngsters and prepare the ground for the country's progress and development.
Referring to the plans drawn up by the government, including the establishment of the Elites Foundation, Ayatollah Khamenei stated that in the light of national resolve and perseverance and the government's following up on the plans made, the noble objectives of the Islamic system, including those foreseen in the 20-Year Perspective Document, will be realized in due course by the favor and assistance of Almighty Allah.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic pointed out that religious faith combined with pious deeds will ensure progress in all arenas, including in scientific and technological fields.
"The remarkable scientific achievements of our young brilliant scientists will prove to the world that the slogan of 'we are capable' has been institutionalized in the Iranian nation," the Leader told the students.
The Minister of Science, Research and Technology, Dr. Mohammad-Mahdi Zahedi, also speaking at the meeting, said that promoting the software movement in the country is one of the main objectives of his ministry.
He noted that young academic elites play a major role in achieving the objectives foreseen in the country's 20-Year Perspective Document, and he called for more efforts to pave the way for the development of their talent and potential.
Zahedi also said that establishing a special educational system for superior students and extending adequate assistance to the Elites Foundation will help to realize the above objectives.