Statements of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a Meeting with University Professors from Across the Country

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

I am very pleased that this year we have the opportunity to spend some time in the blessed month of Ramadan with the scholars and professors of universities - who are the sages of the nation and the country. For me, this session is valuable for several reasons: one is that the mere presence in the company of scholars and those who deal with knowledge, education, and students is a sweet and enjoyable event for us. In our ordinary lives and in this rocky and eventful path of politics and management, this is an opportunity; a breath of fresh air. Perhaps the best hours of leisure for me in the day - when I do not have to perform my obligatory duties - are those hours I spend on my scientific work.

Firstly, the presence in the company of scholars is valuable and enjoyable for us. Secondly, since I am a listener among you, and as is customary in these sessions, major issues related to science and universities and the scientific flow in the country are often raised by the professors and elites, I am pleased, and this is also valuable for me; because it provides the officials with a correct mindset regarding the issues of science, research, and universities, and furthermore, some of the issues raised will inevitably be resolved; just as the matters of previous years were followed up and yielded good results.

Therefore, this session is a desirable and valuable one for me. God willing, in this opportunity that has been mentioned, we can benefit from the statements of the gentlemen and ladies, and collectively, the session will be useful for everyone, especially for the universities.

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The points you raised strengthen my belief that the connection between government agencies and university centers is a necessity. This connection must be established in an organized manner, with a specific mechanism.

Of course, my emphasis in the past has been more related to the industry and technology sector; I have advised government sectors to strengthen their connections with universities, but it can be said that this connection should be strengthened in all sectors.

If the management agencies of the country can establish an organized connection with universities in political, cultural, and educational matters, as well as a connection between the seminary and the university, undoubtedly, the presence of prominent academic minds in the decision-making and decision-influencing body of the system can have significant impacts. This is my belief, and this belief was reinforced in this session with the discussions that friends had, and it deserves to be strengthened.

What I want to convey to the dear university scholars is the same thing I have repeatedly said in the presence of professors and academics, and I want to repeat it again: we are scientifically behind the world; is there no way to bridge this gap? My firm belief is that yes, we can use shortcuts; we can imagine that this gap, which at first glance seems impossible to fill - because the one who moves ahead with a large distance and with tools that are becoming more advanced day by day, their movement also accelerates, and their distance increases - can be repaired. I firmly believe that it is conceivable to bridge this gap and remedy the scientific deficiencies - in our country and countries similar to ours - and the wounds and gaps that have arisen.

What encourages us to pursue this thought is the existence of talents within the country. But friends! Talent alone is not enough. My emphasis is this: talent is a necessary condition, not a sufficient one. Alongside talent, the effort and struggle of scholars, thinkers, and professors are also necessary. This does not negate the responsibilities of government agencies in the areas where they have duties; it does not mean overlooking the problems of professors either. This is a truth and a legitimate expectation that scholars in the university environment should engage in the production of knowledge, with an innovative and constructive outlook in the field of science - to what I have referred to as the software movement in the scientific environment - we need this subject. Of course, government agencies have the greatest responsibility.

In the statements made by friends regarding the declining budgets for research and some other matters, they asked me to help in this regard. Certainly, if the distribution of the country's budget or its priorities were in the hands of the leadership, I would undoubtedly designate the priority of research and science as one of the first priorities. Even now, I have informed friends in the policymaking center (the Expediency Council) - to the esteemed minister present and the President - regarding the announcement of three or four top priorities of the country, I have declared the issue of science.

My firm belief is that the problems of our country can be solved in the long term through this path and nothing else; that is, we must advance in the field of science and research. For the flourishing of science and the elevation of knowledge, research is certainly necessary; without research, it is impossible. Therefore, the help I can provide in this regard is the emphasis I must make to government officials, and I certainly will, and God willing, both the Ministry of Science and the Management and Planning Organization and other relevant sectors - some parts of the presidency - must seriously make decisions regarding this matter; the Islamic Consultative Assembly must also fulfill its duty based on this need.

Many of the budgets in the country are not priority budgets. Many of these seminars, gatherings, and meetings are utterly useless. I think it was last year or the year before that I said here that this session is a real seminar; it has no expenses either. A number of scholars and scientists have gathered together and are expressing the essence of an important issue of the country - which is the issue of higher education. If the amount spent on seminars - both in terms of money and time - does not yield benefits - which often it does not - they should be set aside. Many of these centers that receive relatively significant budgets have no priority. Those budgets should undoubtedly be redirected to research sectors, the Pasteur Institute, and some other places. This matter must be pursued by government agencies; I also emphasize it and God willing, I will document it.

Of course - fairly - the section related to the university itself and within the university also plays a significant role. My emphasis is that esteemed professors, as the flag bearers of knowledge in the country, should truly consider themselves responsible in the current period. Some of these young people who meet with me intermittently and on various occasions - these elites or student groups - have complaints and remarks. Among the issues they raise is that the notes of some professors are outdated; that is, what the student needs in that note is not included! Another complaint they have is that professors do not engage with students and only teach. This is actually a point that I have mentioned two or three times in meetings with esteemed professors. Of course, I am aware that some professors are compelled to take many classes for their livelihood and their constraints - I accept this and know it - but not all cases are like this. I kindly ask you, firstly, to keep one of the topics in your mind that you value, to work with the student beyond just teaching - to establish a connection with them; encourage them to work and share research areas with them - secondly, scientific dialogue between the professor and the student is a very important matter.

Of course, some of these actions must be approved in decision-making centers; among the issues that Dr. Shariatmadari mentioned - which is correct: the issue of education and its importance, or the connection that higher education must have with education and training - must be discussed in the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council; because that is the decision-making center, and the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council is necessary for this reason. Sometimes it is heard from various corners that there is doubt about the need for the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council; no, on the contrary, the very issues that some friends pointed out that must be policy-driven should be carried out in a center that is not a legislative center - the law is what the device spends daily; like small change for spending - but rather a policymaking center. The policymaking center is one that is above legislative centers and deals with macro planning, which the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council is a suitable center for this work. In my opinion, these issues should be studied there.

I have noted the main points that friends have raised. The exact statements of the esteemed professors have also been recorded, and I say that they should be transcribed, and we will extract the main proposals and points from it. God willing, what pertains to us - that is, related to policymaking - which must be communicated to the Expediency Council or the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council or to the heads of the three branches, we will say and recommend. What pertains to the agencies will also be conveyed to them so that, God willing, they will follow up.

I consider thinking and seeking solutions for the issues of universities and higher education in the country to be valuable, and I ask friends to think about the areas they have expressed - or those who wanted to say something and did not have the opportunity - and share it with us. I welcome it, and whatever can be included in the macro policymaking of the country will undoubtedly be acted upon and implemented by us.

Some friends made statements that I found exaggerated: that no work is done with a program, or that there is no goal, or that there is nothing ... This is not the case; this is somewhat exaggerated. Of course, there are weaknesses, there are deficiencies, sometimes neglect occurs in these areas; but it cannot be said in such a general way; no, there are centers that truly work, and today some friends discussed the connection between the industrial agencies of the country and the consumers of knowledge with the research and scientific agencies, which was mentioned regarding the aerospace faculty that had been said in previous years. I confirm these statements.

Of course, I have given strong recommendations to some officials in this regard and I am aware - both in military and non-military sectors - it has had an effect. One of the esteemed ministers who deals with industrial issues spoke to me about a matter that we want to do. I said you should go to Amir Kabir University, which is very close to the government center - I have been to this university and seen their industrial workshop and products - and see how much you can solve your problem. This responsible friend of ours was completely convinced and went to pursue this work - I believe that as far as I can guess - and I think they have reached results or will reach them in the not-too-distant future. If officials find the way to the university and become acquainted with centers of knowledge and research, undoubtedly, the work of these centers will become smoother, and the work of scientific and research centers will also progress. We hope that, God willing, as we move forward, we will get closer to these goals.

I once again thank the friends - brothers and sisters - for accepting this invitation, for forming this good session, for expressing these good points, and God willing, what we said and heard will be pleasing to God and accepted by the Lord.

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