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SRT minister says scientific development inevitable in Iran |
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Tehran, July 8, IRNA -- Minister of Science, Research and Technology Mostafa Moin here on Monday described science and technology as the major challenge in the 21st century and said that scientific development is inevitable in Iran. The minister in an exclusive interview with IRNA listed his concerns as migration of outstanding students, improvement in the status of scholars and students, development of dynamism in universities, optimization of communication and technology, increasing investment in scientific development projects and still more important, providing for the security of students. The 51-year-old minister is quite concerned about the growing number of young population which will reach 18 million in 2006. The minister said that the attack on Tehran University dormitory on July 9, 1999, which pushed him to the verge of resignation, was another concern during his tenure. Referring to the migration of the elites, he said that it is a global phenomenon which has a long background in Iran's history and dates back to pre-revolutionary era. He pointed to the various complicated dimensions of the issue including its diverse social, cultural, political, security, employment and economic aspects. He said, "The role of material and financial factors is not less important than the social, cultural and security aspects, while the absence of proper scientific atmosphere, advanced research facilities and scientific resources are additional reasons for such migrations." The minister pointed to the current university syllabus and said that it is more theoretical rather than practical. Referring to the low rate of employment among highly educated manpower in the industrial sector, which is 25 percent, he said that the current gap between the universities and industries as well as other executive and social sectors contributes to the low quality in production and inefficiency. |
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