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

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

Welcome, dear brothers and sisters. This is a very useful and gratifying session; the atmosphere is also spiritual. Last night was the last of the nights of Qadr; hands of need were raised, tears flowed, hearts softened, and God willing, a great store of spiritual treasures has been prepared for this country, for our faithful people, and for you dear ones present here.

I must express my respect to you esteemed professors, for your academic status, for the role that our dear professors play today in the advancement of the country. This session is primarily a symbolic meeting to show respect for the status of science, scholars, and professors. Of course, we will certainly benefit from the statements of friends, and we hope that what has been said will be utilized in the decision-making processes of the country. The points raised were enlightening and very good, and we thank you; however, our primary aim is to show respect for science, respect for scholars and scientists.

Our meeting today witnesses the presence of the families of the dear martyrs of science, the martyrs of the nuclear program, and I extend my welcome to these dear families; the esteemed families of Martyr Ali-Mohammadi, Martyr Shahriari, Martyr Rezai-Nejad, and Martyr Ahmadi-Roshan; the memory of these individuals will never fade from the memory of this nation and the history of our memory.

In the statements made by friends, brothers, and sisters, there were many good points, and I noted some of these points. The main concerns that I see friends referring to and emphasizing are precisely the same concerns we have, and I am pleased to see that the intellectual current in the universities of the country is moving towards fundamental concerns. The issue of planning and investment in research, in fundamental and foundational work, whether in the humanities or in experimental sciences, which some friends emphasized, is among our concerns and must definitely be carried out. The issue of the relationship between industry and university is among our recommendations; good points were expressed in this regard; it became clear that good work has also been done; the formation of major industrial groups, the clarification of the value of work - as work itself - which some friends mentioned, proposed, are necessary points. Among the topics discussed was the issue of scientific articles, the issue of I.S.I. referencing; this is also among our discussions, among our concerns; managers, planners, and the main designers of the scientific issues of the country must sit down and think about this issue and find the correct paths - some of which were mentioned. The necessity of executive plans for excellent ideas is among the things I emphasize. What was said were very good ideas; however, these often need to be presented as executive plans. One of the tasks that must be carried out in universities is this. For example, consider "moral economy" which one of the friends mentioned here; very good, this is a very good idea, a very correct idea; what is its executive solution? Or, for example, in the same context of the relationship between university and industry, which has been discussed multiple times over the years and fortunately, solutions have also been taken in this specific regard, but at the same time, there are deficiencies; well, what are the executive solutions to address these deficiencies? This is among our needs. I kindly ask the esteemed professors and thinkers to work in this area.

In any case, I thank you for the statements made by friends. I sincerely thank Mr. Dr. Rahbar for his usual authoritative management; he has worked hard. I request our friends, whether in the office, in the ministries, the Ministry of Science and the Ministry of Health, as well as the esteemed Vice President and the representatives, to work on the topics that the esteemed professors have expressed here; to sit down, think, and summarize; to fully benefit from this session for a forward movement.

However, what I want to express - of course, if God willing, there is an opportunity and I can express everything that is on my mind - is that today no one can deny that the world is moving towards a new phase; you are witnessing this. I will present a brief picture, then I will pose a question, and then I will offer two or three recommendations regarding universities.

The situation in the world today is one of transformation. The state of the world is changing into a new form and a new geometry. If we want to find a parallel in the recent past - for example, about one or two centuries ago - it is somewhat similar to the situation after World War I, of course in the opposite direction; that day, the political and economic geometry of the world underwent fundamental and basic changes. Or before that, in the era when Europeans began colonization; a new situation arose in the world, the general shape of the world changed. The transformations we observe today are of this nature; the nature of the general change in the world; of course, in the opposite direction of the two examples I mentioned; in the direction of the exchange of power and capabilities between East and West, or between parts of the nations of the world with other parts. It is evident that we are moving towards new transformations. What are the signs and indicators that show this transformation? I will present a few examples.

One is Islamic awakening. Throughout our history, we have not had such a situation in Islamic countries. The emergence of a sense of identity, a sense of awakening, not in one nation, but in multiple Islamic countries, and this sense of awakening, this sense of identity, being based on Islam, we have never had this in the past; this belongs to today; this is a sign, a sign of transformation. Since Muslims constitute one and a half billion of the world's population, dozens of countries have Muslim majorities, and these countries are also located in sensitive areas, therefore this awakening is not a trivial matter; it indicates a transformation in the structure and new map of the world.

Another sign is the unsuccessful surge of the West led by America, for greater dominance over our region. They made a surge, this surge was unsuccessful. The issues of Iraq or Afghanistan were not spontaneous; these were not events that arose based on an immediate, urgent decision; no, these were completely planned; the goal was the complete dominance of the West led by America over the entire region.

Of course, I insist on calling this region "West Asia," not the Middle East. The terms Far East, Near East, Middle East are incorrect. Far from where? From Europe. Near to where? To Europe. This means the center of the world is Europe; anywhere that is farther from Europe is called the Far East; anywhere that is closer is the Near East; anywhere in the middle is the Middle East! This is a definition that the Europeans themselves made; no, we do not accept this. Asia is a continent; it has an eastern part, a western part, and a middle part; we are located in West Asia. Therefore, our region is called the West Asian region, not the Middle Eastern region.

Thus, another sign is the complete dominance over this sensitive region. Why is this region sensitive? Because, firstly, there are very rich and abundant resources in this region; resources that the West needs, primarily energy resources. Secondly, there has always been an Islamic wave that was expected and anticipated here; especially after the emergence of the Islamic Revolution and the Islamic Republic, they always vaguely anticipated this wave, in order to gain control over it. Therefore, simultaneous dominance over both the rich resources and the Islamic wave compelled them to make a surge and seize this region, but they stumbled along the way; like someone who takes a leap to cross a stream but lacks the strength and falls into the stream. Such an event occurred. This itself is one of the signs of transformation.

Another sign is the current events in Europe. This ambiguous future that looms over the wealthy countries of Europe, the countries of Western Europe, is very significant. These economic issues are not related to tactical and strategic errors that we can say their tactics were wrong in a certain place, they fell into this predicament; or their strategy was wrong, they fell into this trouble; no, this is not the case; the issue is fundamental. There are fundamental errors. What is happening today is due to a fundamental error in the philosophical and foundational outlook of the West towards the world and humanity; an error in worldview. Of course, such errors, like tactical errors, do not have immediate effects; like strategic errors, their effects are not medium-term; these errors have long-term effects. After two or three centuries, these errors are beginning to show themselves; and know that they will be brought down.

Another sign of this fundamental transformation that humanity feels is the decline of America's prestige. America, as the world's first power in wealth, science, technology, and military might, lived for several decades with its prestige; this prestige enabled it to gain influence. In the early decades of the second half of the twentieth century, this prestige was at its peak. In our own Iran, it was the same; a national government like that of Mossadegh, which was escaping from British control, sought refuge in America; this was the prestige. This was the case all over the world. Today, this prestige has completely vanished; that is, America is presented as a suspect in the world. The American government has no public prestige in any country, among any nation. "Death to America" is no longer a slogan exclusive to the Iranian nation; it is said in many countries. A government that supports oppression, supports war, supports the accumulation of weapons, supports dominance over nations, supports bullying, has gained such a title; this is also one of the signs. Therefore, transformation at the global level is a definite matter. There are other signs as well, but I will suffice with this amount that has been mentioned. This is one point.

The second point is that it cannot be denied that our country has a special position in this transformation, in this long story. We are not spectators in this matter; we are not detached elements; our country has a special position. What is this special position based on?

Firstly, because the Islamic awakening began here. Everyone says this, everyone understands, everyone knows. What we today call Islamic awakening began over thirty years ago in this country, it took its victims, presented its struggles, and also achieved its high goals, which is the establishment of an Islamic system.

Secondly, the Islamic Republic system in our country is built on a solid foundation, which is based on faith and belief, reason and emotion. In the foundation of this solid system, both the beliefs and faith of the people and officials are involved, as well as rationalities - which if God willing, I will refer to some of these rationalities if there is an opportunity - and also emotions. Such a solid structure has been created, which I do not recall having a similar one at this moment in the world; a system that relies on the faith of the people, while also on doctrinal foundations, while also on rationality, and at the same time on strong emotions.

Thirdly, a large part of the wealth that I mentioned, which the West has been eyeing for a hundred years and has been feeding off this wealth - that is, energy, oil, and gas - is located in our land. Some years ago, in a detailed session in this Hosseiniyeh, I presented with statistics and details that we are approximately one-hundredth of the world's population, but we possess more than one-hundredth of the essential natural resources needed for the current life of humanity. Now oil is one thing; in important and essential metals, we have two-hundredths, three-hundredths, five-hundredths, seven-hundredths. In addition to this, our human resource reserves, our talents, are far greater than this. Our country has superior talents; higher than the world average. Well, we are a country with this natural and human wealth, especially in areas that the West needs. Today, you see they are seeking our talented youth, they are looking for our elites; they identify our professors, our students, our elites one by one, and pursue them to take them away. We have weaknesses that they exploit, and they succeed. In any case, this indicates the existence of this wealth here; this is another reason for the sensitivity and special position of our country in these global transformations.

Fourthly, in contrast to the barrenness and infertility of the West in producing new ideas - which after humanism and the schools based on humanism and philosophies derived from Western humanism, the West has not had intellectual births and has not presented new ideas for humanity and human life - the Islamic Republic has intellectual births. We have fresh ideas for the spiritual issues of humanity, for the social issues of humanity, for the governmental issues of humanity. New ideas do not mean that if they are presented, the whole world will accept them; it means that they create a new current in the vast ocean of human thought; they create waves. Today, we present "religious democracy" in the field of political issues; we present "building civilization on spirituality" in the field of general social issues; we raise "human dignity" in various fields; we present "the intertwining of religion and life." These are new ideas; these have never existed in the world; even before the era of materialism and Western humanism and the rise of secular thoughts, it was not the case that religion was intertwined with life; absolutely not. Yes, in some parts of the world, clergy had governance; the governance of the church. Now with the complex and long history that Europe has, there was a conflict between ecclesiastical institutions and governments; but in any case, ecclesiastical institutions also had governance. This does not mean that the lives of people were intertwined with religion; religion was the source of regulations and laws for people's lives; such a thing has never existed in the West; in Islamic countries, it has never existed, except in the early days of Islam. This is a new idea that we are presenting today and saying that religion and life are one. What is life? Life means politics, activity, trade, economy, and everything; this is a new idea that is being presented.

The fifth point and factor that gives the country a special position is the steadfastness against the common methods of the West in advancing their works. Throughout this period when the West has had political dominance over the world, they have employed common methods; you have repeatedly observed these methods: they threaten, create wars, commit assassinations, carry out massacres, bribe, and sow discord. These are the well-known and recognized methods of the West during its two to three hundred years of dominance. The Iranian nation, the Islamic Republic system, the Iranian people, and the elites of Iran have shown steadfastness against these methods; threats have not worked, sowing discord has not worked - the issue of sowing discord is very important - they have not been able to overcome the general movement of the Iranian nation. Well, this is the special position of our country.

Therefore, the state of the world, which is on the verge of a transformation or in the midst of a transformation, cannot be denied; the special position of our country is also undeniable. Now a question arises here. The question is whether the universities of the country - and also, of course, the seminaries - have a responsibility in the face of these events occurring in the world or not? I want you esteemed professors, esteemed scholars, and great elites of the country to pay attention to this. In such conditions of great importance and sensitivity, can the university or seminary define no responsibility for themselves and play the role of a spectator? Let alone that, God forbid, they would take on a role in supporting the opposing front against the front of truth.

What seems necessary to me is that the universities of the country and the seminaries of the country have a heavy responsibility in these conditions. The success of the Iranian nation and country in this very important and sensitive historical period primarily rests on the shoulders of scholars. Even if we do not say primarily, certainly one of the first elements for influencing these transformations is the universities. The university can do something that our country, nation, and history emerge victorious in this transformation; it can also, God forbid, do something that leads to not being victorious. In my opinion, the university has a very sensitive and significant responsibility in this regard.

What friends expressed in their speeches and statements today were very good and necessary works. Of course, advancements have been very good, and friends mentioned positive points, but there are also negative points that were generally only alluded to in the speeches; they were not elaborated upon. We have negative points; both in the area of scientific management and in the area of various planning based on the knowledge produced in the university, at the national level, at the community level; these must be addressed. The reference for addressing these is again the university; it is the university that can make an impact. Today, the officials of the country, the ministers of the country, executive officials, and many non-executive officials in legislation and judiciary are graduates of the universities, elements of the universities, members of the university faculty. Intelligent, directed, and purposeful connections can help ensure that the scientific expertise of the country is utilized to correct works and eliminate flaws. This is, on the one hand, the duty of the universities, and on the other hand, the duty of the officials and managers, whom I am now facing as university people; with the managers, I will remind them of their share and duty in their own place, and God willing, it will have an impact.

There may be a doubt here - sometimes certain doubts are raised, fallacies are made - the fallacy of the neutrality of science, that one should not mix science with politics; science is neutral! Yes, science is neutral in the stage of discovering truths; when knowledge seeks to discover a truth of the realities of existence, whether material truths or immaterial truths, it cannot do so with prejudice; it must go and discover; here science is neutral; but when science wants to serve a direction, it is by no means neutral. Today, it is not like that in the world. Those who sometimes shout against the Islamic Republic and the religiously committed university community that you politicized science, you directed science, themselves have placed science in the service of colonialism, in the service of dominance over nations, in the service of chaining countries. Colonialism arose with science; if they did not have science, they could not have colonized so many countries, amassed so many weapons in the world. The numerous wars that the Westerners, Europeans, and later Americans imposed on the world and on nations, all the people who were killed in these paths; from distant points in Asia to Africa, to Latin America - what did they do? - they did these things with science. Science was placed in the service of oppression, in the service of global arrogance, in the service of domination; why should it not be placed in the service of justice? Why should it not be placed in the service of values? Why should it not be placed in the service of spreading the message of Islam - which is the message of human freedom, the message of human happiness -?

Another fallacy - which I do not want to elaborate on too much - is the division of the scientific apparatus of the country into governmental and non-governmental; that is, governmental organizations, governmental students, governmental professors, as a kind of insult! One sees that others raise these issues, and they are echoed within. I believe this is not an insult; this is an honor. A student who supports his government, his system - which is a divine system, an Islamic system - an organization that helps this system, a professor who contributes as a foundational thinker to the Islamic system, should take pride. What is truly an insult is that our professor, our student, our organization serves America, serves Zionism; this is disgraceful. Yes, if someone is accused of being in the service of America, in the service of Zionism, in the service of opponents of the independence and dignity of the country, this is truly disgraceful; this is an insult. That it is said that a certain student is governmental, a certain professor is governmental, a certain organization is governmental, is by no means an insult; this is not a bad thing; they should take pride in it. Yes, governmental means related to the system.

The culture of striving and struggling for the front of truth must be developed in the university. Among the points that friends mentioned, one is this; the culture of spirituality and ethics, or as one of the gentlemen expressed, art in the sense of freedom, in the sense of dignity, in the sense of value; this is completely correct. This culture must be developed in the university. In this regard, the role of professors is very prominent; and this is the command of the soft war that I have repeatedly mentioned and said that professors are the commanders of the soft war.

The last recommendation - since it seems that time has passed significantly - is a recommendation for a national innovation system. There is currently a gap here - and this gap has caused the comprehensive scientific map not to be operationalized as it should be - and that is the absence of a national innovation system, which consists of a network of activities, chain interactions, at macro, intermediate, and micro levels, between the scientific apparatus of the country; both within the scientific environment and outside the scientific environment. Such an interaction must be created, which is recognized as a national innovation system; its work is to manage, monitor, evaluate, and guide the flow of knowledge and innovation. This is a necessary matter today, and in my opinion, officials and managers must think about this issue.

O Lord! Make what we have heard and what we have said for ourselves and in Your way. O Lord! Assist each of us according to the ability we have, according to the position we hold, and the role we can play, in helping the front of truth to prevail over the front of falsehood. O Lord! Please be pleased with the pure heart of the Awaited One and the pure spirit of the Seal of the Prophets from our people, our nation, our scholars, and the warriors of this path. Unite the pure spirit of our dear martyrs, the martyrs of science, the martyrs of the nuclear program with Your saints.

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