Austrian Scientific Mission Visiting E. Azarbaijan

A senior Austrian official said he was impressed by East Azarbaijan Province.

Josef Frohlich, the head of the Department of Innovation Systems at the Austrian Institute of Technology, and advisor to Austria’s technology minister, made the statement during a meeting with East Azarbaijan Governor General Esmaeil Jabbarzadeh on Sunday.

Frohlich added that from the 20th-century onward, global agreements have been signed in the fields of innovation and technology, so it is necessary to assess and understand the conditions of a partner country before undertaking cooperation.

“As a person who works in the area of science and technology, I pay particular attention to data and statistics in different regions. However, regional specifications that can only be grasped through experience are also critical when it gets to setting goals,” he said.

He noted that experts at the High Council of Science, Research and Technology and Rab’-e Rashidi Institute for Higher Education in Tabriz “provided us with the needed data”.

“On this trip, we have been able to assess the competitive environment and activities carried out up close,” he said.

The official toured the factories and an innovation exhibition and said, “The type of activities undertaken in the province is quite impressive”.

AIT is an Austrian application-oriented R&D company, employing more than 850 people in various locations across Austria.

Founded in 1956, it is responsible for policymaking, conducting research and promoting developmental scientific and technological activities.

Jabbarzadeh noted that the province is eager to work with advanced countries like Austria in the areas of science and technology.

“I believe that expanding cooperation between AIT and the province can lead to productive and efficient results,” he said.

The governor general added that the province is ready to fully lend support and exploit all potentials to attain the mutual goals.

“The deal will include both the private and governmental sectors,” he said.

“Having a high-ranking degree is not enough. We must train researchers and focus on development. We aim to set up research and development centers in all manufacturing units for we believe that by not having the technology, we cannot guide the people toward advancements.”

Jabbarzadeh said the country’s ultimate goal is to promote a non-oil-based economy and by working with AIT, “we hope to reinvigorate Rab’-e Rashidi Institute for Higher Education”.