Statements in Meeting with University Professors

On the fourth day of the blessed month of Ramadan 1435

In the Hosseiniyeh of Imam Khomeini (may his soul be sanctified)

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

Thanks be to God, the Lord of the worlds, and blessings be upon Muhammad and his pure family.

I extend my warm welcome to dear brothers and sisters, esteemed university professors; a collection of scholars present here. This session is always one of the sweetest for me; both because of the topics discussed here - which are often beneficial and possess depth and intellectual and scientific backing - and more so, because of the very scientific atmosphere of the session. Essentially, our main goal for this session is to symbolically express our respect and reverence for the committed scholars and scientists - who are the greatest treasures of the country - here.

There are many thoughts in your minds; each of you has points to share that, if there were an opportunity and blessing to hear them, would certainly yield benefits. We hope that these thoughts and ideas will be appropriately presented in academic circles and university exchanges, and that officials will utilize these opinions and ideas. Undoubtedly, the collective thoughts of our scholars and deep thinkers at the universities regarding the overall issues of the country will present a great wealth to the managers of the country's administration, which we hope will be utilized. However, our current limited session naturally does not have the capacity to utilize all opinions.

I thank the dear brothers and sisters who spoke. All the speakers raised very good points, and we benefited from their statements; God willing, the collective of these statements will also be utilized in planning and in discussions with the executive officials of the country, and their effects will, God willing, be seen.

Our goal was to honor knowledge and the knowledgeable, and to listen to and absorb the thoughts of our dear friends and esteemed professors, which, thanks be to God, has been achieved up to this moment. I will also share some remarks.

Firstly, the atmosphere of Ramadan is one of purity, spirituality, truthfulness, and sincerity. Let us strive to make the utmost use of this atmosphere; both in what relates to our heartfelt connection with God, to strengthen this spiritual and personal relationship with the Almighty God during these days - which is the greatest benefit for every human being - for our eternal life and our afterlife, where true life exists; it is beneficial for both, and also effective for our present life. In addition, let us strive to use this atmosphere of spirituality and purity, which is prevalent in society during Ramadan, for correct and spiritual communications among ourselves and to make sound decisions, take correct actions; to incorporate optimism, trust, love, and goodwill towards one another in our interactions, and to derive this benefit from Ramadan to create a refinement in social relations and human interactions; and to make the atmosphere of life, the atmosphere of the country, a more luminous one; this is within the capability of each one of us; you, who are professors and hold a superior academic position, can naturally have a greater impact on your surrounding environment - whether students or non-students - in this regard.

I have noted a few points that I would like to mention; because this meeting is a valuable opportunity for me to face a group of elites and intellectual and scientific talents. We who constantly pride ourselves on the human resources of the country, well, the best and most distinguished human resources are precisely those elements who are engaged in educating knowledgeable individuals at the university; that is, the esteemed university professors. It is an opportunity for us to present some points face to face.

The first point relates to the scientific movement of the country. This issue is, in my opinion, very important. The matter of the scientific movement of the country is fundamentally essential for the future life of our nation and society, and in a sense, for the life of the Islamic world. For years - perhaps ten or twelve years - we have been focusing on scientific issues, and it has yielded responses; that is, the scientific movement and scientific renaissance in the country has begun and progressed, and significant works have been accomplished - of which you heard examples from the esteemed professors, and there are many more examples than what these friends have stated here - the work has begun, and this scientific movement of our dear country is indeed recognized in the world and has been unveiled. However, what concerns me is that our movement has not yet reached a point of stability. We are like those who are moving uphill on a steep slope. Yes, we have moved forward, we have made progress, and many works have been accomplished, but we are still halfway; for various reasons, we are at the midpoint - I do not want to elaborate too much on this; we have spoken in various places, on different occasions, I have made remarks - in this steep ascent we are making, if we stop, this stop will be accompanied by a regression; there is no longer a mere stop. If our movement falls behind, restoring this renaissance, this movement, this scientific momentum will be more difficult; this is our concern. I want to emphasize that this scientific movement must be supported with all our strength, we must work hard; let us not create a situation where this movement comes to a halt; this is our first and main point.

Certainly, there are motivations among our enemies to halt the scientific movement of the country. Now, some are sensitive about the term enemy; they object to us for constantly saying enemy, enemy; while if you look at the Quran, you will see how many times the title "Satan" and "Iblis" has been repeated from the beginning to the end; it has been repeatedly mentioned. We must not be heedless of the enemy. Recognizing the enemy is not a flaw; that we emphasize the enemy does not mean we are oblivious to our own flaws and internal problems; no, the greatest enemy is the one within you; (2) worse than all enemies is our internal enemy, our complacent self, our laziness, our indulgence, our lack of planning in advancing our affairs - this is evident - these are valid in their own right; however, neglecting the external enemy is a grave strategic error that will lead us to loss. Well, we must understand the enemy, see - now, whether you say our approach to the enemy should be this way or that way is another discussion - we must understand his enmity, we must recognize his plans. One of the enemy's significant plans is to halt the scientific movement in the country. Well, when we understand this, we return to the university; here the jihad management that we have mentioned (3) finds meaning. Because jihad is the effort made in response to an enmity; not every effort is jihad. Jihad is that effort made against a hostile challenge from the opposing side; this is jihad. Then the meaning of jihad management here is that you must realize that the scientific movement of the country and the scientific renaissance and scientific advancement are facing a hostile challenge, and in the face of this hostile challenge, you who are managers, you who are professors, you who are students, must stand firm; this is jihad movement and management of the apparatus; whether it is university management, ministry management, or management of any sector in this vast arena, it will be jihad management. Of course, in the past, we had undesirable examples in the university. We had individuals in a reputable university who encouraged talented youth to leave the country! This is what is repeatedly said about brain drain; we had people who sought out talented students, found them, and encouraged them to leave the country; we experienced this in a certain period; and we saw this and passed through that period where there were individuals within the ministry who obstructed our scientific movement and scientific advancement; [of course] they may have had reasons they considered valid, but the reality was that they were creating obstacles. These should not be repeated; the university should not be entrusted to those who disregard scientific advancement; it should be entrusted to those who are passionate about the scientific progress of the country; they must understand the importance of this issue for the fate of this nation and for the fate of this country. This is our main point; the audience for this issue includes both government officials and university officials, as well as you professors yourselves; the university has started a movement; do not let this movement come to a halt; this movement must continue and must be multiplied. I mentioned - now is not the place for elaboration - we still have a long way to go to reach the scientific point that is desired; much effort is needed; much struggle is required.

In the short term, I believe - this belief stems from the work done by experts and scholars - that sanctions will become ineffective with scientific advancement. Looking at the short-term and medium-term - aside from the long-term future - if the country wants the sanctions, which today are a tool in the hands of our enemies for humiliating the nation - to pressure the national dignity, aside from the practical pressures related to life, they use it to humiliate; this is why we have repeatedly emphasized not to rely too much on sanctions, because they will become ineffective, with a scientific perspective on the issues of the country, and by linking science with industry and agriculture - which you heard the explanations of the esteemed gentlemen in these areas - the sanctions will become ineffective. And we have open fields of work in these areas and can work; knowledge-based companies are one of the fundamental tasks in the context of the same resistant economy that has been raised and discussed and has been confirmed and acknowledged by all sides of the country's issues.

Of course, care must be taken in identifying knowledge-based companies, meaning the criteria and specifications must be determined, and knowledge-based companies must be standardized; it should not be that under the name of knowledge-based companies, some come and carry out the same activities that are common in some other areas - brokerage and the like - here. It must be a truly knowledge-based company; this should be one of the fundamental axes.

I would like to mention in parentheses that some individuals who have a platform to speak and have a podium, doubt the fundamental issue of the scientific advancement of the country! We do not consider this prudent; it is truly out of ignorance. A "scientific tour" should be organized for officials in various sectors. Now, some of the sectors have been mentioned by friends; one of the gentlemen mentioned nanotechnology - of course, it is not just nanotechnology - he said we dig a well, and when we reach the water, we abandon it; no, they are pursuing it. Those who are well diggers are truly pursuing it, and they have reached good places. Well, for example, today the country's medicine is among the most advanced in the world; we are not far behind in the modern sciences and the frontiers of knowledge in medicine; we are very close. The same goes for other fields; the same nuclear knowledge, stem cell knowledge, and significant works of this kind, we have made very good advancements. Those who are uninformed should not doubt; they should go study, make contacts, and as we mentioned, organize a scientific tour and reach certain places. Our main point was that we mentioned. I urge the relevant ministry officials and the various governmental officials related to science, university, and industry to take the issue of scientific advancement and the connection of science with technology in the country seriously; that is, there should be no negligence regarding this issue. This issue is our fundamental issue; one of the most essential, fundamental, and urgent issues we face. Research work is one thing, [but] in the research and what needs to be done in this area, in our opinion, there should be no negligence.

Another point I noted to mention is that, well, the comprehensive scientific map has, thanks be to God, been approved; as I have been informed, it has also been welcomed. Several scientific documents have been prepared based on the comprehensive scientific map, organized, communicated, and several other scientific documents are in the process of being drafted; and we have been told that some officials in the scientific sectors from the group responsible for implementing the comprehensive scientific map are requesting the drafting of scientific documents for their sectors. Well, this has happened; this is an important and effective event in the country. What can complement this work is that for various universities in the country, based on their advantages, responsibilities and shares regarding the comprehensive scientific map should be determined; the reputable universities of the country, various universities should know their share in this large scientific outlook document and work in their respective special areas; that is, a table should be created where each university knows its share in filling this table and recognizes it. Universities can be categorized based on their advantages and talents, and each university's share can be assigned to that university.

Another point I noted to mention is that, well, in scientific work and scientific activity, thanks be to God, the movement has begun; a fundamental point in scientific activities is that the scientific activity of the country should be responsive to the needs of the country, which is not fully met today. As friends pointed out, (4) the indexed scientific articles of our country today have customers, meaning there is a demand for scientific work in the world; but this is not enough. Yes, [that you] prepare an article and it becomes a reference, and is referred to, is a source of pride, it is a good thing, it is very good for the country and is a sign of the scientific advancement of the country; but more importantly, what you work on in scientific matters should be responsive to the needs of the country. Well, today you observed, regarding issues related to industry, agriculture, crisis management, and various issues of the country, experts expressed opinions, pointed out needs, and highlighted deficiencies and weaknesses that exist; well, scientific research, scientific inquiry, and scientific articles can be prepared to meet these needs and be responsive to addressing these needs. This is also an important issue. If the universities of the country strive in this regard, this is the most significant help they can provide to the administration of the country. The discussion of the assistance that universities and scientific environments can provide is precisely this: to influence decision-making by officials in various fields; their scientific work should be responsive to their needs; whether through scientific articles, or through theses given to students, or through scientific debates.

Another point that is appropriate to mention to you professors, and I have noted here, is that professors have an influential position in the minds of their students; this is the nature of being a professor; that is, your scientific superiority over the student and the education you provide creates an influential position for you in their minds and in their character; use this position to educate your students. Today, we need our youth to be cheerful, hopeful, courageous, self-confident, faithful, future-oriented, and service-minded; we need our students to be raised in this manner. Well, you can ensure this in the academic environment, in the classroom. The opposite is also possible: it can be done with expressions, with sarcasm directed at the foundations and accepted principles of the country, to make the student distrustful of the future of the country, disbelieving, indifferent; this can also happen. What is expected from the professor is not only to provide scientific nourishment to the student but also to strengthen their spiritual disposition and moral character; you can have an impact in this regard. Strive to raise the student to be committed to spiritual attachments, familial attachments, and national attachments; raise the student to be a believer and committed to Islamic culture. Some have acted contrary to this over the years before the revolution; after the revolution, of course, this has been observed until today; well, we are aware, you are aware, we know individuals and movements; now the names of the individuals in question are not relevant - there exists a movement that is intimidated and defeated by the dominance of Western culture; anything Western is praised by them, and anything national and self is belittled and insulted; we have individuals of this kind; this is the exact opposite of what should be. The professor in the university environment, in the classroom, can raise their student to be both religiously faithful and interested in the future of their country and homeland and the fate of their nation; they can raise them to be hopeful, spirited, and believing in the foundations of the country's system; they can also act contrary to this. The expectation from the professor is this: the professor's words should not lead to disillusionment and despair in the young student; the professor's demeanor should also reflect this.

What I convey to dear brothers and sisters, esteemed professors, is that - I have previously mentioned this repeatedly in this session and other sessions - the professor should consider the university environment as their main work and primary attachment; not as a secondary task; not as a subsidiary or ancillary task. The professor should have a presence in the university, should stop and be present, should address the scientific needs of the students, should establish a connection with the students, and it should not be merely a matter of going and performing a duty in a cursory manner and leaving; this is another point I have mentioned. Professors should spend time; they should engage with students compassionately; this will also motivate the student towards scientific effort, meaning this will lead the student to model the professor's behavior in pursuing scientific work for themselves and will naturally be influenced.

Another point regarding the religious courses. Professors of religious courses have a very valuable opportunity in the university; this vast group of students, a million-strong student body, is available to the religious professor for many hours; this is a very valuable opportunity. The best youth are in your hands; if the religious professor engages with intelligence, relying on deep and updated knowledge in various intellectual and Islamic matters, we will derive the greatest benefit from the presence of religious professors in the university. And we believe it is very appropriate and suitable for the representative institution (5) to pay attention to these matters and to plan carefully so that the presence of these esteemed professors in the university can be utilized to strengthen the faith of students and to build the religious and spiritual character of the students.

Another issue is the issue of human sciences, which I have raised for some time; the reasons for this have been repeatedly stated. Truly, we need a fundamental transformation in human sciences in the country. This does not mean that we consider ourselves independent of the intellectual and scientific work of others - no, some human sciences are crafted and developed by Westerners; they have worked on this, thought about it, studied it, and we should utilize those studies - the point is that the foundation of Western human sciences is non-divine, materialistic, and non-monotheistic; this is incompatible with Islamic foundations, incompatible with religious foundations. Human sciences will only be correct, beneficial, and effectively educate individuals when they are based on divine thought and divine worldview; this is currently absent in the present state of human sciences; this needs to be worked on, thought about. Of course, this work is not a hasty one - it is a long-term, important task - however, those friends who are engaged in this work need to give it the appropriate pace; that is, while it should not be rushed, being behind in this work is also not desirable and is not acceptable; work must be done. Of course, I have heard and am informed that in addition to what is being done in the Supreme Cultural Revolution Council in this regard, numerous university professors are also engaged in significant and spontaneous work in this area, which is good; this work should be aligned on a single path; that is, these two working groups should synergize, so that, God willing, results can be achieved for the country and for the universities in this regard.

The last point - which apparently time is up - is that I urge university managers and various management officials not to turn the university into a center for political maneuvering and the activities of political factions. The deadly poison for the scientific movement is for universities to become political clubs; a task that was carried out in a certain period. This does not mean negating political activity among students in universities; I have always been an advocate and proponent of political work by students and university members and I still am - I believe this now as well - however, having a political perspective, a political inclination, political understanding, and political activity is one thing, and turning the university, the classroom, and the academic environment into a playground for political work is another; these are different from each other. The tranquility of the university helps it to carry out its work in the field of science - which is of utmost importance - to fulfill its duty, and if, God forbid, the opposite happens, the first blow we will suffer is that the scientific movement in the university and consequently in the country will come to a halt or slow down; and we have stated that a halt means regression.

O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, we beseech You in these sensitive hours and in these blessed days to bestow Your blessings upon the universities of the country and our university members and students. O Lord! Guide us on the path that leads to the general guidance of the Iranian nation and to the glory of the Islamic world. O Lord! By Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, grant us the insight to face the various challenges in different eras; grant us the necessary sincerity in the movement we undertake. O Lord! Include our dear martyrs, especially the martyrs of the university, and especially the recent atomic martyrs of the country - who are martyrs of knowledge, martyrs of the public struggle of the Iranian nation - in Your mercy, forgiveness, and grace. O Lord! Keep us steadfast on the path of these martyrs.

And peace be upon you and God's mercy and blessings.