Sorena Sattari, Vice President for Science and Technology, said at the “Resistance Economy and Production Leap” meeting in Ilam Province, which was held with the presence of officials from this province, “What we are talking about in the country’s technology and innovation ecosystem as a knowledge-based economy is a completely endogenous concept. The endogenous nature of this economy means that any change must occur from within the province.”
Referring to the endogenous nature of the knowledge-based economy, she said: The technology and innovation ecosystem in this province must grow with respect to the human resources and natural reserves of this province.
According to Sattari, our duty is to provide the basis for this internal ferment by developing the infrastructure of the innovation ecosystem of Ilam Province. Each province, more than anything else, should try to take a step forward by relying on its natural and human capabilities and reserves.
The Vice President for Science and Technology continued: “The importance of human resources is greater than natural reserves.” The prosperity prevalent in oil-rich countries is not reliable, and its survival will be shaken when oil reserves run out. Universities and scientific environments in this province should be aware that they should not rely solely on government funding.
He continued: Universities and scientific environments should ultimately benefit from the production of knowledge-based and technological products by producing science and helping to establish technology companies and startups. These scientific centers and provincial officials should, above all, encourage young people to create real added value and not portray employment in offices as an ideal goal for them.
Referring to the empathy and cooperation of the officials of this province, Sattari said: When it is observed that all provincial officials and technology activists in the province have such a passion for change, this creates a multifold motivation for others to join this change.
The head of the National Elite Foundation also stated: Since my previous visit to this province, very good things have happened in this province and I am continuously following the progress of technological activities in this province.
He continued: The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology considers itself committed to supporting the significant activities of innovative activists in the province. Projects to develop the province’s ecosystem infrastructure have also been approved in line with this support.
Referring to the ideas presented by startup activists in the province, the head of the Knowledge-Based Economy Culture Building Headquarters said: Good ideas and plans can only grow and develop when they reach the commercialization stage using private sector capital.
Sattari added: By injecting government budgets, we cannot expect these plans to reach the growth stage. However, this ecosystem must be fully supported, and the development of the Ilam Science and Technology Park is also being carried out in this direction.
According to him, Ilam province should also rely on these young and innovative activists to develop the industrial field in line with the characteristics of the province. It should be noted that a factory is different from an industry, only a factory is created by importing full-scale machinery from abroad. But if we can design and produce the required equipment within the country, then we can claim that the industry has been created in the true sense of the word.
Publication of Iran’s Immigration Yearbook
Referring to the publication of Iran’s Immigration Statistical Yearbook, the Vice President for Science and Technology said: This year, the Iranian Immigration Statistical Yearbook was published in the country for the first time, and its English version will be published soon.
The head of the Biotechnology Development Headquarters of the Vice President for Science and Technology also emphasized: This yearbook reflects statistics related to the immigration of elites abroad and the education of elites from other countries in Iran, and as this parallel exists in all countries of the world, it must be interpreted. Sattari added: In recent years, elite migration has decreased significantly and the type of migration has changed to investment and job migration.
Referring to the infrastructure created to finance knowledge-based companies, the head of the National Elite Foundation said: A network of support funds has been created to support knowledge-based and technology companies. This plan is also to use the capacity of the banking system, but it should not be forgotten that bank loans are not a suitable option for the growth of a startup and, above all, the focus should be on attracting bold investment.
Successful entry of knowledge-based companies into the field of advanced technologies
Referring to the significant increase in companies active in the field of artificial intelligence, he said: Technological and creative companies in the field of artificial intelligence are operating in the country and have attracted more than 500 skilled and capable workers.
According to Sattari, the stock exchange’s Sajjam system is one of the clearest examples in this field, as this software has been able to authenticate more than one million people in a short period of time.
Referring to the capabilities of knowledge-based companies in the field of Corona, the Vice President for Science and Technology said: In the field of combating Corona, six contracts have already been signed with knowledge-based companies to develop vaccines. Also, in the field of livestock, knowledge-based companies are launching several vaccines to the market for the first time this year.