Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a Meeting with Professors of Shahid Beheshti University

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

I share the regret of those friends who did not have the opportunity to express their thoughts. It would have been more beneficial for me if everyone could have spoken. In any case, the brothers who had reserved time for speaking shared their thoughts, and I benefited from their remarks; many good and useful points were made. I was surprised that no one from the women spoke! Usually, in such sessions, several women also participate; however, it seems that the women did not reserve time in advance. The arrangement and procedure - as Mr. Dr. Nadimi and his friends had set - was to reserve time in advance and speak.

I have noted a summary of what you have said. Many of the points in your statements are among our own demands and requests. However, the budget and financial issues in various sectors are a separate matter that, given the shortage of financial resources and the problems that the government and officials face in this regard, must inevitably be addressed with more fundamental and better solutions, which is the government's responsibility. One of the friends in their remarks asked me to take urgent action. I must inform you that I can neither take urgent nor non-urgent action regarding the budget. What I can do is to convey the matters to the ministers - who are also present here - or inform the President so that it can be reviewed and decided upon in the government. In essence, budgeting and allocating funds, as well as increasing or decreasing them, does not concern us. In any case, both Mr. Dr. Moein and Mr. Dr. Behzadian heard what you said; both are in the government. Of course, there are limitations and problems in the government. It is not the case that they can act as they see fit. What you raised is one part of the country's needs; other sectors also present their needs to the ministers and the government. Addressing these needs is not easy, but it is certainly possible to pursue.

What I find important is a point that some friends also referred to. That point is the perspective on science and research and the organization of the state of science and research in the country. This is a significant task that must be pursued with serious commitment. I also have a responsibility in this regard and will follow it up.

Science is valuable, and one of the factors that enhances the value of science is that it progresses and develops towards specific goals that are aligned with needs. The same intellectual framework - which Mr. Rafiepour referred to and is entirely correct - can organize the productive scientific entities, optimize the use of the scholar, the scholar-producing class, and the center where the scholar can engage in activities, and make optimal use of all these. These are necessary tasks and must certainly be pursued; I will, God willing, make every possible effort in this area.

Conversely, there are expectations and demands from the scientific community in the country. This matter is not addressed to a specific individual or a specific university or center; it is directed to the scientific community of the country - the scholars and researchers. For specific historical reasons, we have fallen behind the caravan of global science - this cannot be denied; the realities are before us - while the ability to become scholars, produce knowledge, and push the boundaries of knowledge beyond what they are, exists among our people. This is a historical injustice that has been done to us. What you observe today regarding the advancement and expansion of science, the interest in science, and the emergence of science as a fundamental issue in society is related to the post-revolution period. Before the revolution, science was neglected. There were universities, there were scholars; however, science in the true sense of the word was not considered one of the country's issues. This continued for many years, and our nation fell behind the caravan of science.

We now want to compensate for this backwardness and historical delay. What should we do? If we look at it with ordinary perspectives, we see that the gap is wide. Incidentally, their means of movement is also faster than yours; thus, the gap must increase day by day; we are condemned to this. Is this correct? The same path they have taken, we continue as well, thinking we must continue. We say, after all, they have gone this way, we must go too. It is a path already taken; however, their distance from us is great. I once told one of these groups of university friends: we were moving; he reached a bicycle and increased his distance from me. Then, since he had to cover a large distance, he accessed a car and benefited from it; however, I have just reached a bicycle! Thus, the distance has increased again. He has now reached a faster means of transport; should I sit and watch the dust of his movement or be saddened and burn with regret for this progress? What should we do?

The movement of knowledge production - which I have been repeating in universities for two or three years - is related to this issue. Knowledge production means going down paths that seem to be untraveled. Of course, this does not mean that we should not take the paths that others have taken and disregard their experiences; rather, it means we should be thoughtful. In this vast world and in this great nature, there are many unknowns that today's advanced knowledge has not yet reached. The unknowns are very numerous and, in all likelihood, far more than the things that humanity has so far discovered. We must be careful, think, and seek to discover the unknowns. We must utilize the talent that has been mentioned and which I know the Iranian mind possesses. We should find shortcuts and not be afraid of innovation and novelty in the realm of science. This movement should be perceived in our universities and scientific and research centers as a general motivation, a sacred matter, and a form of worship. All fields of science should take this form. We must have the courage to think that we can innovate.

Of course, one might respond to this statement with complete despair: what can we do that others have not done? Which path should we take? However, I believe that it is possible to nurture this thought and hope in our hearts that we can find untraveled paths. One day, many of the things that today the world and humanity recognize were unknown; however, some dared and recognized these unknowns. What reason is there that we cannot discover another unknown path? It is not the case that today every new discovery requires access to the highest knowledge and the most advanced technologies for us to say we do not have it. This expectation exists from the scientific community of the country. With this in mind, the more research centers in universities and outside universities, the better.

Of course, I completely agree with the issue raised by our dear friend; that is, in some places, money is wasted - in fact, it is squandered; this was a completely correct expression - and unnecessary and meaningless extravagance is employed; however, conversely, in cases where it is necessary, there are many financial problems. These disarray must certainly be organized. Of course, this is also among the government's tasks, which must be ordered and emphasized; I will, God willing, emphasize it. Therefore, our first and main message to you, esteemed professors and all members of the scientific community - whether in medical universities or non-medical universities - is: as those who possess good talents and abilities but are lagging behind in the scientific caravan, find a way; be explorers and researchers and demand the unknowns and revive this spirit in universities; "There is little left for the last to the first." There are many things that have not yet been discovered, but suddenly someone discovers them. I mentioned that new discoveries and recognizing new paths do not necessarily depend on our having the most advanced technology in the world for someone to say we do not have it; no, we can have this expectation from ourselves and the scientific community in various fields.

Another point is about students. I observe a gap in the relationship between professors and students that must be filled by you. Our students, in the scientific environment, while learning science, can also learn many lessons unrelated to the specific science from their professors. Among these are national pride, love for the homeland, attachment to the future of the country, and pride in the history and past of the country. These are factors that can have very profound and positive effects on a young student.

Of course, I do not intend to deny the various factors that may discourage or dishearten a young person - these are also factors that must be acknowledged - but this aspect should not be overlooked that a professor in the classroom can raise his student to be religious and committed to faith; just as he can raise him to be an atheist and deny all sacred values, even if the class is not a religious one; whether it is a physics class, a natural science class, or any other subject.

A professor can raise a student to be a devoted human being who takes pride in his country; he can also raise a person who is indifferent, disinterested, and detached from his homeland and the past and future of the country.

My belief is that in the field of promoting religion, the most effective means that can make a student religious and interested in religious principles are these points and references and words that a professor can share with his students in class. A reference from a professor can sometimes leave profound effects in the heart; however, sometimes the opposite is observed. Of course, some professors pay attention to these points, but it should be considered as a fundamental and primary task. The young person you want to educate and instill the spirit of science and research in him and raise him to be a distinguished and wise scientific elite - which every professor wishes for his students - must be injected with the spirit of faith and religion; both faith in God and religion and sacred values that are beneficial for his world and the hereafter, and faith in his national and historical identity.

You must stimulate national pride in the student. Contrary to what is often said, pride is not always a negative and bad meaning. Some prides are necessary; without those prides, a person is indifferent and moves like light and weightless dust in the air. Commitments to the personality and identity of a person are necessary; now, this person can be anyone - a scholar, an industrialist, or anyone engaged in any activity - ultimately, a commitment is necessary.

Faith in God, faith in religion, faith in sacred values, and faith in the unseen are not trivial values; these should not be underestimated; they are very important and guarantee happiness and righteousness. One may have faith in the unseen but also have ten flaws; such a person will not progress. The discussion is about the impact of faith in the unseen. If there is no faith in the unseen, many problems arise. As you know, undoubtedly, science is the foundation of civilization; however, it is not a sufficient condition for a proper civilization. The result of science minus faith in the unseen is what you see today in the world. Look at how today science, with all its nobility and value, has turned into what it is in the hands of global oppressors and international madmen! No rights for humanity, no rights for nations, no rights for truth, and no value for honesty and truthfulness are acknowledged. Faith can be instilled in the heart of the youth; both faith in religion and the unseen and knowledge and spirituality, and faith in his national identity; his historical personality and his past and present attachments and affections.

I hope, God willing, that God grants you all success and support. This was a good session and beneficial for me. I hope it will also be beneficial for the university and our shared aspirations.

Peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.