Dr. Ali Asadi; Implementing UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award by University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, a Step Towards Promoting a Culture of Innovation and Technology

In an interview with the Media Room of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, Dr. Ali Asadi, head of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, spoke about the programs and support of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park in line with realizing the slogan of the year and maximizing the attraction of technology units and knowledge-based companies, and also addressed the role of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park as the secretariat of the headquarters and executive and evaluation committee of the UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award.

Developing Organic Relationships within University of Tehran Bodies, a Step Towards Establishing 2,000 Technology Units

Dr. Ali Asadi, in an interview with the Media Room of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, referring to the slogan of the year and also the slogan of the University of Tehran, said: The convergence of these two slogans means that we can take positive steps towards realizing the mission entrusted to the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park complex.

Dr. Asadi referred to this year’s slogan as a command from the Supreme Leader and added: The main audience of this command are the universities that must be the flag-bearers of the movement of production, knowledge-based and job creation. The main focus of universities in this field should be on science and technology parks.

He continued: The slogan of the year has imposed a heavy duty on all academics and especially science and technology parks. For this reason, it is necessary to make precise plans to implement this command.

Dr. Asadi elaborated on the actions underway to achieve the country’s high goals, saying: In the first step, the organic relationship that has been formed between the Vice Presidency for Research and Technology of the University of Tehran and the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park must be expanded.

Referring to the goal of establishing 2,000 technology units in the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, he emphasized: To this end, the University of Tehran complex has come into the field and we hold meetings with the deans of faculties and professors of the University of Tehran so that we can use the space, infrastructure and facilities of the University of Tehran for this purpose.

Dr. Asadi referred to the presence of 2,200 faculty members and 20,000 graduate students (master’s and PhD) at the University of Tehran, adding: If research findings are not directed towards innovation and practical technology, the issue of transforming science into wealth will not be realized. In this regard, we are trying that in the first step, 10 to 20 percent of these master’s theses and doctoral dissertations of graduate students and also with the 10 to 20 percent presence of faculty members, take a step towards realizing the establishment of 2,000 technology units and make this operational.

Dr. Asadi stressed: The University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, alongside the faculties of the University of Tehran and with the presence and cooperation of faculty members, students and staff of the University of Tehran, who are referred to as scientific assistants, is taking steps to operationalize objectives.

He added, while stating that attracting companies outside the University of Tehran will be as before: According to the order of the University of Tehran president, spaces, areas and buildings currently in the hands of the Science City, with the coordination of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park, will be placed at the disposal of companies selected through the Admission Council.

Dr. Asadi considered the establishment of 2,000 technology units conditional on having precise and coherent planning, adding: With the good cooperation that exists within the University of Tehran’s academia, research and investment deputies of the University of Tehran, and also with the support of faculty deans and professors, realizing this goal will be feasible.

University of Tehran Science and Technology Park Secretariat of Headquarters and Executive and Evaluation Committee of UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award

Referring to the Leader’s remarks, Dr. Asadi referred to the University of Tehran as the symbol of higher education in the country, saying: Considering that the University of Tehran has always been a pioneer in academic, research and social responsibility, the issue of promoting a culture of innovation and technology in the country with regard to the slogan of the year was paid attention. In this regard, the idea of awarding the UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award through the National Commission for UNESCO Iran to the leaders of this field was raised.

Dr. Asadi referred to the conclusion of a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the University of Tehran, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology and the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran, explaining: Considering that the University of Tehran is recognized as a symbol of higher education in the country and its laws and regulations are a model for other scientific and academic centers, and given the University of Tehran’s capacities nationwide, it was decided that the permanent secretariat of the UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award should be located at the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park. The scientific and executive evaluation committee of this award is based in the University and in this secretariat, where all evaluation processes are reviewed in this committee.

The head of the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park spoke about cooperation between the University of Tehran and UNESCO, saying: This cooperation is at a very good level and out of the total 17 UNESCO chairs in Iran, 7 chairs are active at the University of Tehran, which indicates the scientific status of the University of Tehran that various organizations are interested in cooperating with.

Dr. Asadi called the UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award a national award, adding: This will continue internationally in the future and will be awarded to individuals who have created positive impacts in the field of technology.

Stressing the importance of establishing the evaluation committee in this secretariat, he noted: In addition to executive activities of this award being carried out at the University of Tehran and in the secretariat of this award, the evaluation committee, which evaluates works and leaders in the field of technology and innovation and implements the main process of how to select and define indicators, is based at the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park. The most important part of this award is this selection, review and indicator process.

Dr. Asadi also addressed the issue of funding this award, stating: The costs of the secretariat ceremony will be with the University of Tehran and the financial resources will be provided by the Ministry of Science.

Regarding the start date of operations for the UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award secretariat, he said: This secretariat will begin its activities in late Khordad (June) and the mechanisms, regulations, specialized committees, etc. must take shape.

Finally, he spoke about the members of this secretariat, saying: Given that the establishment of this secretariat and the UNESCO Innovation and Technology Award is based on a tripartite memorandum of understanding between the University of Tehran, the Ministry of Science and the National Commission for UNESCO in Iran, the members of this secretariat will also be formed with the participation and cooperation of these three institutions.