Driving the news:
Afshin Zarqi, Vice Chancellor for Research at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences (SBMU), stated that the annual festival was organized to honor researchers across various academic levels, coinciding with the university’s achievement of securing first place nationwide in research and technology.
Why it matters:
The event highlights Iran’s strategic efforts to strengthen research-oriented universities, translate scientific discoveries into marketable products, and enhance the country’s national and regional scientific standing amid growing global competition.
The big picture:
SBMU positions itself as a third-generation, research-focused university committed to commercialization, job creation, and wealth generation through science and technology.
Key points:
A total of 17 honorees were recognized, including:
- 10 individual researchers
- 7 institutional entities
- One researcher from Tabriz University of Medical Sciences was also honored at the national level.
- The festival coincided with SBMU’s achievement of first place in research and technology across Iran.
- SBMU has ranked first at Iran’s Razi Research Festival for 12 consecutive years.
- The university now counts 80 scientists among the world’s top 2%, marking a significant increase from last year.
What they are saying:
Afshin Zarqi, Vice Chancellor for Research at SBMU, remarked, "Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences is a research-oriented university focused on converting science into tangible products, fostering employment, and generating wealth."
Zarqi further highlighted that the university currently hosts 264 knowledge-based companies and has developed 914 technological products, solidifying its position among Iran’s top academic institutions.
“We currently have 264 knowledge-based companies and 914 technological products, establishing us as one of the leading universities in the country,” he stated.
SBMU President Mohammad Esmail Gheydari emphasized that research should focus on addressing real-world challenges, rather than merely increasing the volume of publications.
“Research has always accompanied humanity, and as societies have grown more complex and urbanized, the need for research has increased,” Gheydari said."The primary objective of research is to solve problems. Research that only increases article counts serves little practical purpose."
Gheydari also underscored the significance of applied and developmental research in addition to basic research, emphasizing their relevance in tackling national issues.
“Basic, applied, and developmental research are all forms of research, but we believe the most effective role lies in applied research centers at the service delivery level,” he concluded.
Go deeper:
Iran Holds 25th Abu Reyḥan Biruni National Research Festival Focusing on AI
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