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

We will say a few words, and then we will be ready and waiting to listen to the statements of the friends who are present here.

First of all, I welcome all the brothers and sisters and consider myself fortunate for the formation of this meeting, where scholars, wise individuals, and professors have gathered; this is a source of joy, happiness, and pride for me. If we could arrange for all the professors of the country to gather in one session and we could serve them, sitting for hours to listen, we would certainly prefer that. Naturally, this is not feasible; therefore, for now, we will suffice with the number of friends we have here; "What cannot be fully grasped should not be abandoned in part."

This meeting is held with these objectives: first and foremost, to honor the professors. This is a symbolic act, so that we can express our sincerity and devotion to the professors of various fields of science and the true and spiritual leaders of the scientific and university apparatus in the country; because we know that promoting science, if it has several prerequisites, one of them is honoring the scholar; therefore, we wish to practically announce this honor.

The second objective of this meeting is to hear certain things from you. What is on your mind, please express the essence of it here, and I am a good listener, hoping that this listening will also be a source of goodness and effect. It is obvious that in the short time of our meeting, only a limited number of people can have the opportunity to speak; however, again, "What cannot be fully grasped should not be abandoned in part"; if we do not have access to everything desired, we must suffice with what is accessible. Some of the things you will say may not be new to the attendees or to me; but certainly, many of them will be new. Moreover, there is an effect in listening that is not present in knowing; therefore, we must listen. Through this listening, many things have, thanks be to God, been accomplished. We used to hold this meeting in previous years during the month of Ramadan. Perhaps some or many of you brothers and sisters have also attended those sessions. This year, in order to be able to host some friends who are not in Tehran, we scheduled the meeting after Ramadan, and tonight we have this opportunity. Therefore, the second objective is to hear from you; this is beneficial for us.

Everything that has been said here has been pursued in some way; some better, some stronger, and some in an average manner. It is not the case that something is said and merely for the sake of saying it in this meeting. Since I wanted to see what topics were raised in previous meetings, I asked for a report to be prepared on this matter. In this report, the pursued matters were mentioned; some related to the government, some to other institutions, and some to universities. At the same time, pursuing the points of interest in an executive manner is one matter, and spreading correct thought in the atmosphere is another; and the latter is more important. The fact that you express a thought and spread this idea in the atmosphere will undoubtedly shape the direction and movement in the future; it depends on how logically, strongly, and based on reasoning and realities the speaker has articulated this thought. Therefore, this is another objective that, God willing, some of the work here will reach results and be pursued.

The scope of the topics you will express is unlimited; that is, from my side, there is no limit or boundary for what will be expressed. I insist that there should be no restrictions in this regard; however, I want to mention two main topics that it would be good if you pay attention to them in your discussions and say something about them:

One is about finding more practical and effective solutions for research and investigation in the country; whether from the side of professors and elites, or from the side of students who write theses in universities. During their studies or at the end of their studies, both students and professors spend very valuable hours preparing a thesis or research in the university. Are the selection of these titles calculated and in line with the needs of the country? Does the product of the research and investigation that professors and students have jointly or collectively conducted reach the stage of implementation and action? Does this way, our university, our knowledge, and our research ranking grow or not? Some students bind their theses and beautifully send them to me. I have set aside a shelf in my library for these theses. Unfortunately, I do not have the opportunity to utilize them - at least in the fields that are useful for me - but the titles I see on them are sometimes very interesting and eloquent, and one wishes to pursue this topic under this title. Some titles, however, are very peripheral and far from the scientific and practical path of the country. What solution exists for this research, this thesis, and this important work - which has taken precious hours - to be useful? If you could mention this in your discussions, it would be beneficial.

Secondly, thanks be to God, we today observe a strong spirit of commitment among our professors and students regarding social issues. I remember the universities before the revolution very well. Today, the sense of responsibility of students and professors towards the issues of the country and social matters is good - and we have examples of it - but how can we strengthen this sense of responsibility and this spirit of commitment towards the fate of the country? Let us work to ensure that in the university environment - this vibrant and lively environment; an environment filled with science and a spirit of research, along with vitality and youth - this sense of commitment and responsibility exists more than ever, and that all or a decisive majority of professors and students feel responsible for the fate and future of the country and future generations, and that the spirit of individualism and thinking solely about one’s own fate is somewhat weakened; that is, neither the student nor the professor should have all their concerns focused solely on building a future for themselves. Usually, it is the case that for ordinary people, personal issues take precedence in many cases. Although from the Islamic perspective, everyone should prioritize public interests and the fate of the community over personal interests, it is expected from the elites, the distinguished, and the prominent - who are represented by the professors and students - that the spirit of thinking about one’s own fate does not take precedence over the spirit of thinking about the fate of the country.

Naturally, we do not expect to utilize this friendly and intimate meeting like a specialized scientific seminar. Of course, I recommend that real seminars be held in all important areas; not formal and superficial ones. Sometimes one sees that an international or domestic seminar or congress is held, but often, nothing comes out of it. Truly, useful specialized scientific seminars must be held. We do not expect such things from this friendly meeting; however, since this meeting is reflected at the national level, it can be inspiring and provide many threads of thought to all segments of the country - as far as the television screen is in front of them.

I am waiting for the friends to start. Apparently, Dr. Azizi is supposed to manage the meeting. We are very grateful to him for accepting the effort; he is a scholar, distinguished, committed, and specialized.

Statements of the Supreme Leader after the Professors' Speeches In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

The meeting was very useful and good. Although there was not enough time for all the friends, brothers, and sisters, and at least all those who wished to speak to express their thoughts; however, the amount that was said was beneficial. I noted the points expressed, and later, God willing, the details of these will be taken into consideration.

One should not think that the human collective of a nation can have a simple movement. Movements are a summary of the collective feelings, motivations, and movements in the entire society. Thanks be to God, we are making progress in many areas. It should not be assumed that we remain unaware of the realities of society; no, I am in regular contact with the body of the people. You gentlemen and ladies who are present here are part of the elite of the country. I am in contact with non-elites, with ordinary people, with clergy, with prayer leaders, and with various families; sometimes I go to people's homes and sit on their carpets and under their roofs; therefore, I see the realities; it is not the case that I do not know or see. It is also not logical to expect that we should think we can move forward entirely without setbacks and without the presence of phenomena and examples that we do not favor; no, there are ultimately setbacks and advancements; there are falls and rises; the collective human summary must be calculated. The problems that friends have mentioned, I consider them probable and accept them. Many of these problems and knots exist, but alongside them, there are positive matters and causes - things that bring hope and joy. The effort we must make is to resolve the problems. Overall, what seems to me is that we need more concentration from the authorities in the field of nurturing elites - which is a major part of it in the realm of university education - both in the educational and research aspects. The authorities of the country must look at this issue with a realistic perspective and with a correct calculation and - for the short term - a non-material approach. Although in the long term, certainly the wealth and material growth and progress of the country are also contingent upon these, in university matters, in the short term, calculations should not be based on financial, economic, and material issues. Not that this perspective does not exist now; I see that both in the Management and Planning Organization and in the government, this perspective exists, and the officials who are at the head of these matters are often academic and educated individuals; they are those who appreciate education and research; but planning is necessary; management is needed. This issue of the migration of elites or brain drain - which the gentlemen have referred to in good expressions - although part of it is undoubtedly related to facilities and the like, part is also related to spiritual matters; but part is also related to management. We need individuals who hold these responsibilities, both in the Ministry of Science and in various research managements, to approach this matter with an effective, mature, and thoughtful managerial perspective. Certainly, the advancement of the caravan of science and research in the country requires management; in the words of some friends, it requires oversight, supervision, planning, direction, and setting specific goals; we must know what our strategy is for research work; what we should do so that this research and education are beneficial for the country and serve the country, which friends have also expressed good points in this regard.

The horizon of work in the country is very good; the talents are good; the existing facilities of the country are acceptable; these facilities can be increased. The responsible governmental and executive bodies are interested in giving importance to science and have accepted that science is the axis of true development for the country. Without science, we cannot reach anywhere; this has been stated in the twenty-year vision document, and in the discussions surrounding this issue, this meaning has been clearly explained to everyone. Determination is needed; both in the management bodies and in you esteemed professors and those who are directly responsible.

What is important is the production of science. Friends have provided statistics, and I also accept these statistics; we have also received reports regarding the progress in research and articles published in reputable scientific journals worldwide; however, pay attention that the production of science - meaning breaking the boundaries of knowledge and making progress - is different from acquiring knowledge and expertise in knowledge; we need the former. Not that the latter is not needed, but the latter is not sufficient. It is not desirable that the writings and research and the products of the minds of scholars in various fields - whether human sciences or experimental sciences - come and be well understood and that these become the basis for the ultimate knowledge and understanding of humanity. We see that in various fields, research and investigation and reaching theories in the material world and the West have not been based on a credible and acceptable foundation; especially in the field of human sciences, which also shows its effect in experimental sciences and technology. The Islamic perspective on humanity, knowledge, human life, the natural world, and existence provides a new understanding for humanity. This perspective is not the foundation and basis of scientific research in the West. Scientific research in the West began in conflict with what they considered to be religion. Of course, they had a right; the religion that the Renaissance rose against and which shaped the intellectual and scientific direction of the world in opposition to it was not religion; it was superstitions and delusions under the name of religion. The medieval church's religion was not religious knowledge. It was obvious that complexes and knots would remain in the minds of scholars and intellectual elites, and they would find anti-religious and non-religious remedies for it. Therefore, how to reconcile science and religion is still an issue for them; however, our issue is not this. In our worldview, knowledge springs from religion, and the best motivator for knowledge is religion. The religion we know, the religious worldview we derive from the Quran, the image we have of creation and humanity, and of the supernatural, divine will, and destiny, is compatible with knowledge; thus, it is a producer and encourager of knowledge. You can see an example of this in history; observe how scientific movement in the early centuries of Islam soared due to the encouragement of Islam, which was unprecedented in the world until that time - in all fields - and science and religion were intertwined and mixed, and knowledge, research, and technology advanced in their own right. The foundation and basis of the human sciences that are currently discussed in the West, from economics and sociology to management and various branches of human sciences, are based on a non-religious and anti-religious understanding that is not credible from the perspective of those who have reached a higher and monotheistic Islamic understanding. We must work in these areas. We must work and strive in the field of experimental sciences. We must create the power of scientific advancement and open new paths and horizons within ourselves; our determination must be this; this is the expectation. Fortunately, we have made progress; this can be clearly seen. If it were to be the case that science could advance in a non-religious and anti-religious environment, at least we would have made scientific progress. We have been scientifically backward and held back. For more than fifty years, scientific movement in this country was slow; in some areas, it was halted. The obstacles they created were like a deadly poison for this nation. They took belief away from our nation. They made our nation and elites and minds so attached to everything outside these borders that no one would have the opportunity and courage to think that they could propose a theory contrary to those words or different from those words and theories. We are still somewhat trapped by those words. Of course, Islam gave us self-belief, and the revolution gave us courage. What we observe today is the result of this courage; this courage must be strengthened and advanced. Our talents are good. Our youth are good. If the actions that the gentlemen pointed out - identifying and attracting talents in due time, correctly guiding them, employing them, and organizing them spiritually in the field of elites - are carried out, which is both feasible and, God willing, there is the will for it; and if the elite foundation that we proposed is established in the Presidential Office - which I have heard they are preparing for it and have also written a charter - God willing, we will move in this direction.

Of course, I also want to correct this point. Friends mentioned several times during their remarks to us, "Give orders." I do not give any orders in these matters; because our work in this regard is not directive; for example, to order the Ministry of Science to act in this way; no, we provide the government and officials with policies and frameworks. Or some friends said to order the judge. I do not give orders to the judge; the judge does his own work and is responsible for his own work; just as the governmental bodies have their own responsibilities. We strive and follow up so that these matters, God willing, are realized in their legal, correct, and logical path. These matters are not directive. Many problems cannot be solved with orders and circulars and the like.

In any case, we hope that God Almighty bless our gathering tonight and that what you have said or what is in your mind, and what some friends will surely write and submit, will serve as a means for our work in higher education to progress even further.

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