The members of staff of Ferdowsi University in the holy city of Mashhad met the Leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Khamenei on Tuesday, May 15.
The Leader, who is currently visiting the holy city of Mashhad, paid a visit to Ferdowsi University on Tuesday morning and had a cordial meeting with the instructors and professors of the university.
Speaking at the meeting, Ayatollah Khamenei referred to the role of universities and academics in the country's scientific progress as 'decisive'. He stated that, today, one of the most important issues concerning the preservation of the Iranian nation's identity and independence and dignity is attaching great significance to scientific research and taking firm and carefully meditated measures to raise the level of science in the country without wasting any time.
The Leader highlighted the major role of universities in the proper direction of scientific movement in the country. He added that, in modern world, it is power that forms the basis of international relations, and that the power of any country stems from its scientific capabilities.
Ayatollah Khamenei also pointed out that experienced instructors and professors should make every effort to raise the scientific knowledge of talented postgraduate students with the intention of training them as future instructors of universities. He added that universities should turn into centers of progressive research and scientific activities.
Further in his statements, the Leader of the Islamic Republic stressed that one of the important responsibilities of university professors and instructors is to bolster up the spirit of scientific curiosity and research in their students.
"The country's scientific progress is in need of drawing up a comprehensive map of the scientific movement in the country and the fixing of scientific priorities, which should be in line with the society's requirements, and this objective should be widely pursued by university professors and researchers," the Leader told the audience.
Ayatollah Khamenei described the relationship between industrial centers and universities as essential to preparing the ground for the scientific growth of young researchers.
"Fortunately, the incumbent government has fulfilled this vital requirement, and the establishment of the vice-presidency for scientific affairs is one of the positive measures taken by the incumbent government that can prove very useful and beneficial to academic circles," Ayatollah Khamenei noted.
As regards the issue of research budget, the Leader called on relevant government officials, especially the minister of science and research and technology, to pursue the matter in the Cabinet and try to allocate adequate budget to research centers.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Ayatollah Khamenei pointed out that ever since the victory of the Islamic Revolution in Iran, positive measures have been taken to promote Islamic values in universities. However, he stated that despite all the measures that have already been taken, a considerable distance has yet to be covered in order to attain Islamic universities in a real sense.
The Leader also referred to the creation of suitable groundwork for competition in the field of scientific research and doing away with government monopoly in this area as another major factor contributing to the country's scientific growth and development. He stated that one of the important results of the proper implementation of the macro policies on Article 44 of the Iranian Constitution is the removal of obstacles and the lifting of monopolies.