The Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei visited the Royan Research Institute and an exhibition displaying the scientific achievements of the University Jihad Organization on Monday, July 16.
During the visit, which took some two and a half hours, the Leader was informed by the scientists and researchers and specialists about the latest scientific achievements of the Royan Research Institute and the University Jihad Organization.
In an address to the audience at the end of the visit, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the auspicious scientific movement in the country which has had many positive results over the past years. He added that his visit to the Royan Research Institute has been aimed at praising the present wide-scale scientific movement in the country and expressing gratitude to all the Iranian scientists and researchers, especially those who are involved in the scientific and research work at the Royan Research Institute and the University Jihad Organization.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic described the Royan Research Institute as a successful research center that owes its brilliant success to a combination of science, faith and endeavor. He also commemorated and honored the memory of the late Dr. Sa'id Kazemi-Ashtiyani, the former director of the institute.
"Thanks to his incessant and tireless efforts and his faith and successful management, the late Dr. Kazemi-Ashtiyani managed to give rise to a scientific institute which combines earnest scientific research with faith and piety," the Leader pointed out.
Ayatollah Khamenei further described the University Jihad Organization as an auspicious offspring of the Islamic Revolution and one of the major products and achievements of the revolution. He also referred to the words ‘jihad' and ‘university' that have combined to form the name of this organization.
"University jihad means wise and prudent jihad and striving aimed at the accomplishment of ideals and objectives at the highest scientific and academic levels," Ayatollah Khamenei told the audience. He noted that the University Jihad Organization was established on the foundations of religion and piety, and that efforts should be made to preserve and bolster up its jihadi and religious and revolutionary identity.
Elsewhere in his remarks, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stated that science and research are the real secret of and the key to the country's progress and wide-scale development. He noted that the learning of various sciences is only the prelude to moving in the vast arena of knowledge and research.
Ayatollah Khamenei further criticized the hegemonic system that has presently dominated the world.
"The status and role of countries and nations in the international system should be in line with their talents and scientific capabilities. However, under the present circumstances because of the attempts made by certain powers to monopolize science and also due to the bullying and unreasonable demands on the part of the arrogant powers, the world has been divided into advanced and underdeveloped nations and domineering and submissive countries, and this situation should be changed," Ayatollah Khamenei observed.
The Leader stated that the most important factor contributing to a change in the present global hegemonic system is a scientific movement on the part of nations. He added that the Iranian nation, in view of its history and culture and also its brilliant talent and remarkable scientific record, is able to play a key role in this regard.
Ayatollah Khamenei also emphasized that science should be combined with faith and morality.
"The science which is not combined with faith and morality, as is evident from the behavior of certain countries, will ultimately result in the production of weapons of mass destruction like the atomic bomb, and this kind of science will be used as an instrument for bullying and intimidating others. But it is possible to attain sustainable progress through the science that is combined with faith and through the scientific endeavors that are for the sake of and in the way of Allah," Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out. He added that the scientific achievements of the University Jihad Organization bear witness to this progress.
In conclusion, the Leader of the Islamic Republic once again expressed his gratefulness to all the scientists and researchers throughout the country who are striving and making every effort to bring about the country's scientific progress and development.
Before the Leader's statements, the director of the Royan Research Institute Dr. Gourabi and the director of the University Jihad Organization Dr. Tayyabi welcomed the Leader and presented some short reports about their research projects.