Meeting with Officials of the Khayyam International Scientific Festival
The Supreme Leader’s representative in Isfahan Province and the Friday Prayer Imam of Isfahan said that scientific festivals such as the Khayyam Festival should create a bridge between thinkers, innovators, scientific elites, and industry in order to help address the country’s challenges, particularly in the production sector.
Ayatollah Seyed Yousef Tabatabaei-Nejad stated during a meeting with the officials of the Khayyam International Scientific Festival:
There are great scientific capacities among the country’s young generation, as well as scientific elites who have presented highly distinctive and practical projects. These individuals need to be supported.
Emphasizing the necessity of connecting industry with the country’s scientific and elite community, he added:
The office of this festival should be able to establish connections between projects, inventions, and industries so that industrial challenges can be addressed. Scientific festivals should, in fact, be capable of creating such a link.
The Supreme Leader’s representative in Isfahan Province noted:
The secretariat of this festival should increase its promotional activities so that elites and individuals with ideas and projects can easily connect with the festival. On the other hand, festival organizers should provide a platform through which these projects can be introduced to and reviewed by different organizations and relevant authorities.
Stating that the country should take advantage of available opportunities to achieve self-sufficiency in various fields, he said:
Sanctions can lead to constructive outcomes, because during sanctions, when we are deprived of what we need, we are compelled to make efforts to produce, build, and become independent.
Ayatollah Tabatabaei-Nejad added:
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution has always emphasized that young people should help solve the country’s problems. His emphasis on this matter is so strong that some have even accused him of seeking to replace the older generation. However, the Leader of the Islamic Revolution firmly believes that young people are capable of resolving the country’s challenges.
The Head of the Scientific, Research and Technology Basij Organization of the Hazrat Sahib al-Zaman Corps stated during the meeting:
The Leader of the Islamic Revolution emphasized the importance of science in the Second Phase of the Revolution Statement. Therefore, planning should be carried out in a way that identifies and supports the capabilities of the country’s elites.
Dr. Khaled Gommar added:
There are various invention festivals in the country, but they have not created a strong connection between industry, universities, and even schools. In this festival, we are working to establish this connection.
Noting that the festival was held in Tehran last year and will be held in Isfahan this year, he said:
One of the advantages of the Khayyam Festival is the possibility of receiving a deduction from military service. If an invention helps solve a national problem or reduces dependency, a military service deduction may be granted.
The Head of the Scientific, Research and Technology Basij Organization of the Hazrat Sahib al-Zaman Corps emphasized that Isfahan has the capacity to attract scientific elites from across the Islamic world, stating:
We have never considered academic degrees as a requirement for accepting inventions and ideas. For example, a worker from Mobarakeh Steel Company submitted a project, which we supported. Today, that project has been implemented at Mobarakeh Steel and has helped address existing problems.
The Secretary of the Khayyam International Festival stated during the meeting:
Last year, the festival was held under the title “One Idea, One World.” After receiving permission to hold the event at the international level and following cooperation with other countries, the Policy Council decided to rename it the Khayyam International Festival.
Referring to the remarks of the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Khamenei, who stated, “If we seek power, if we seek dignity, and if we want to become a point of reference for countries and governments, rather than relying on them as our points of reference, we must strengthen science — and this is possible and achievable,” the Secretary added:
This year, with your support and the direct cooperation of Dr. Gommar, Head of the Scientific, Research and Technology Basij Organization of the Hazrat Sahib al-Zaman Corps in the province, we are working to implement this important mission.
