A total of 8,735 knowledge-based companies are active in the country, according to the Deputy Science, Research and Technology Minister Ali Khaireddin.
“Although Iran has a good status in science production in the region and the world, we do not have an acceptable growth in the field of innovation and our academic staff have a low profile in the field of technology,” he said during a ceremony for honoring the top researchers of Semnan University, IRNA reported.
“We have 51 science and technology parks, and 900 Level-3 knowledge-based companies in Iran. Currently, 8,735 knowledge-based companies are active in the country, and we are far from the desirable situation,” he added.
Kheyreddin noted that there 60 incentives, in addition to increasing the salary of the academic staff working for the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, are in place to boost their activities in the field of innovation and technology.
“Iran ranks first in the region in terms of science production and 15th in the world, but unfortunately, we do not have a good rank in the field of innovation. About 80% of [domestic] new technologies cannot reach the market,” he said.
“Laboratories lacking equipment, neglect of market needs, lack of supporting standards, international sanctions, poor government policies and financial constraints are some of the problems facing the country.”
The deputy minister also bemoaned the lack of motivation among faculty members regarding commercialization, not knowing the needs of the industry and society, and lack of training for graduates and faculty members about marketing and entrepreneurship.
“It is necessary to change the mission of the universities and specify the research and technology priorities, otherwise the universities will face problems. The contribution of universities in solving society's problems should be increased,” he said.
Referring to the low share of research and development in gross domestic product, he said, “The total research and development budget of the country is 30 trillion rials [$78.76 million]. There aren’t enough investments in the field of research and development, and its GDP share is currently below half a percent.”
Kheyreddin noted that reinforcing commercialization services in technology and innovation centers, diversifying sources of financing, reforming the legislative system and using the capacity of specialized agencies to help academic staff members are crucial.
“Currently, only 10% of faculty members have entered the field of technology, which figure should increase,” he said.
During this ceremony, 133 top researchers of Semnan University were honored in the presence of the province’s Governor General Mohammad Reza Hashemi and other executive officials.
This year, six Semnan University researchers were included in the list of the top 1% of scientists in the world and 17 members of the university's academic staff were among the top 2% of scientists in the world.
4th Global Ranking in Training Expert Human Resources
Iran is ranked fourth in training expert human resources, according to a report on the Global Innovation Index.
“Currently, according to data compiled by international organizations, one of Iran’s main achievements is the training of specialized human resources, and we are ranked fourth in this field in the world,” Hamid Tahouri, technology advisor to the science minister, said during the eighth working group to operationalize the slogan of the year in Lorestan Province.
He added that reliable human resource is one of the important capacities of Iran, IRNA reported.
“In recent decades, we have seen the growth of several other countries in this field, which have more opportunities and enjoy greater cooperation, but our country is facing a special condition [caused by sanctions and restrictions] and yet growing in this field,” he said.
“On the one hand, if the available mechanism is pursued with seriousness and faith, many issues will be resolved, and on the other hand, holding regular and focused meetings is also very effective in advancing the goals.”
Tahouri stressed that elites should not migrate and leave the domestic problems unsolved, as it is necessary to use their talents.
