Scientific projects that can help resolve the most pressing problems in society such as air pollution and drought will be given priority, President Hassan Rouhani said on Saturday, calling for increased interaction with other countries in the field of science.
"Today, there are numerous problems facing people in the country such as air pollution, and we are forced to close schools on certain days while the issue is solvable," Rouhani said at the closing ceremony of the 31st Khwarizmi International Award, named after Muhammad al-Khwarizmi, a prominent Persian scholar in mathematics, astronomy, and geography.
The president encouraged researchers, academics, and students to join hands to find a solution to the issue, arguing that science should be at the service of society, his official website reported.
Reducing air pollution, including dust storms, is one of the main objectives of the administration and considerable funds have been earmarked to address the matter, he added.
Social Issues
Rouhani said implementation of any scientific proposal that would offer an effective solution to tackle air pollution as well as water scarcity and drought will be put high on the government's agenda.
Pollution is a perennial problem in Tehran, which is ringed by mountains and has little wind to disperse the smog. Locally refined petrol used by millions of cars that throng the capital's congested streets every day has also been blamed as a key polluting factor.
Recurring massive sand and dust storms originating in neighboring countries like Iraq also frequently lead to poor air quality and city shutdowns in western and southern parts of Iran.
Band-Aid Approach
Authorities have resorted to Band-Aid fixes such as shutting down schools and imposing traffic restrictions to combat air pollution and address public concerns.
In addition to pollution-related issues, modern-day water and environmental problems, including water shortages, diminishing groundwater and wetlands, thinning forests, and desertification, are among other persisting challenges that continue to bedevil the nation.
The president also called on researchers to study ways to build earthquake-resistant structures to help reduce the loss of life and damage.
Iran is prone to near-daily quakes as it sits on major fault lines. In 2003, a 6.6-magnitude quake flattened the historic city of Bam, killing 26,000 people.
A 5.2 magnitude quake struck near Tehran on December 20, 2017, prompting officials to take additional measures to reduce the risk of earthquake damage.
Scientific Interaction
In his speech, Rouhani called for closer cooperation between the Iranian and international scientific communities, saying, "No country in the world will grow and develop through isolation. If we restrict our relations with the world, it will have no benefit for us."
Increased interaction with other countries would help Iranian society apply best practices in different fields and pave the way for the execution of joint projects that would help the country achieve its goals faster, he said.
Suspicious View
He added that there should be no obstacles in the way of students who would like to attend scientific conferences abroad, noting that "being suspicious of professors and researchers" is a wrong attitude.
In addition, the president said the budget allocated to universities should be in accordance with their contribution to the promotion of entrepreneurship in various industries, which can accelerate the growth of the country.
