Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in Meeting with Students and Elites from Across the Country

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful The session is complete and it is indeed comprehensive; the session was meant for you to come here and speak. Of course, I have many things to say; both addressing you, who are our elites, and addressing all scholars - students, professors, academics, and clerics - and also addressing all the youth of the country; however, since there is no time, I am not in a hurry to say everything that is on my mind in this session. There will be time later, and God willing, we will have other sessions with the youth, students, and other elites, and I will express whatever I find necessary there; but let me say a few brief sentences.

Firstly, the reason we hold such a session every year is that this session symbolizes "We can." Be aware that for decades in this country, calculated efforts have been made to prove that Iranians cannot. We want to show that Iranians can. One of the greatest endeavors of the Revolution was to tell the world and the Iranian nation that we can. And I tell you; the Revolution has succeeded in this regard. Self-belief has awakened in our country. The instances that some of you dear ones mentioned regarding our scientific advancements are a small part of our scientific, research, and technological progress in the country; many more things with broader scopes will gradually emerge and are currently in progress and exist. This session symbolizes "We can."

The elites of the country are not just you; however, you are a selection from this valuable group of our country and our youth. This shows everyone that among our youth, there are individuals who can achieve prominent ranks in international competitions and in vast arenas of competitions within the country, and these are brilliant talents, and we have many such brilliant talents in our country, and relying on them, the Iranian nation and our dear country will build and advance itself and gradually fill the deep chasm that has been created between us and the peak of knowledge in the world.

The second point is that I am in no way in favor of superficial or - as you say - showcase work. Of course, display has its own dignity; a showcase has its place; one cannot deny the importance and value of display and exhibitions; however, being confined to this will lead to loss in this world and the hereafter.

We are pursuing work. The points you raised today - the importance of valuing science, valuing research, valuing technology, paying attention to elites; that when we encourage an elite, wherever they go in the world, they will belong to the country, and the many points you mentioned and I noted a summary of - these are my words; these are words I have been saying for ten or twelve years. Today, I look and see that without you realizing or remembering that these words were once said by the officials of the system, you are expressing these words yourselves, and they are your heartfelt sentiments; this is progress; this is exactly what we wanted, and in the face of the enemies who did not want this, it has happened.

Today, our youth have a desire for research. Your complaint as a youth is that you come here and say our research budget is 0.7 percent - which apparently is more; the statistics our brother mentioned are not that much; it is about the 1.5 percent that was mentioned; although I do not remember exactly now, it is more than what has been said; although these must be operationalized and provided - or you come to me to complain that they do not provide research budgets or do not support research. Our ultimate wish has been to create this feeling in you and for you to pursue it.

Of course, we have a duty to take the next step. The next step is that these works must be operationalized and executed one by one. This is not a temporal next step; it is a rank next step; meaning that after this thought is raised, it must be executed immediately.

Of course, I have noted these points and I ask the office and the friends present here to extract and list what you have said. Mr. Minister of Science and some other officials are also here; it will be communicated to others who are involved and responsible, and God willing, these will be followed up.

The third point is regarding the Elite Foundation, which I raised in this session last year; that we should create a foundation to examine and solve the problems you mentioned. The foundation's statute has been approved and they brought it to us. Of course, in our view, the statute has deficiencies that must definitely be addressed, and God willing, it will be addressed. The attention that, fortunately, I see today from government officials, from the President to others, towards operationalizing and executing plans and programs gives me hope that God willing, all the concerns we have regarding the pursuit of elite work will be resolved.

Of course, this work will be gradual. Just as you say, if a four-year research project takes four and a half years, they should not say why; such works also face various obstacles and problems. What we must do is to pursue this; not to abandon it until God willing, it is realized. It may take a little longer or shorter, but it will happen. This is the intention of the country's officials. This is the national endeavor that exists today in our country.

I have repeatedly said, and I am now telling you dear youth; the vision document is not a school essay that someone sits down to write; it has not been merely a pure wish or a raw desire; these are things that have come onto paper with consideration and calculation of all aspects, and it means that this is achievable. That we said that within twenty years we must have a high rank in the region, in science and in the economy, has been written and organized with consideration of all aspects of the matter; and this is achievable.

Of course, all achievable works require going, pursuing, dedicating effort, and doing. There is no doubt that if we sit and watch, nothing will happen. With pursuit, work is achievable. God willing, we will follow up, and with divine grace and power, it will happen.

Of course, we do not see those days in principle, but you see them; they belong to you, it is your future.

In one of the student sessions, I said you should think about this: fifty years from now, your country should be a place where anyone in need of scientific advancement must inevitably learn Persian; meaning your country should produce so much scientific and research output that just as today English is widely spoken mainly due to the technological advancements of America and some other countries, you should be able to make Persian a global language in accordance with your scientific growth.

You must be able to reach the peak; this is achievable, and if we dedicate effort, it is certain.

Of course, my dear ones! Young boys! Young girls! Know that faith accompanied by righteous action is the most important support for progress in this field. Pure, clear, transparent, reasoned, and logical faith - which fortunately has abundant materials in Islamic teachings - along with action can help you. Mere faith does not advance work. Faith that is followed by action, commitment, and adherence, that is free from negligence and carelessness, can help both your world and the future of your country. Focus on this; as I saw in your statements.

It was a very good session. The two hours you spoke for us were precious to me, and I am happy to have heard your words. Of course, your speaking has other benefits; it is not just this symbol I mentioned. The fact that a young Iranian makes the effort to come to a national podium - this is a national podium; everything you say is heard by the entire Iranian nation - to express their findings and have this confidence is one of the great assets we need for our country. I greatly appreciate this confidence.

Our friend said that these words should not have been said here; no, there is no problem at all. The main thing is that you come here and stand and say what you think; this is important to me. It may be that what you say is not very mature; the suggestion you make may not be very new; it does not matter. What is important to us is that you come here with confidence - your daughter, your son - and express your thoughts powerfully and confidently, and this message spreads across the country; this is valuable to us. God willing, may you be successful.