Pezeshkian urges universities to become driving force for tacking nat’l challenges
President Masoud Pezeshkian called on Iran’s universities to become engines of practical problem-solving during a meeting with senior officials from the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in Tehran, stressing that scientific capital must be transformed into tangible solutions for the country’s economic and social challenges.
Reviewing higher education policies in the aftermath of the recent conflict and the government’s plans to reshape science, technology and education strategies, Pezeshkian said universities should move beyond their traditional teaching role and assume a more active position in national development, president.ir reported.
“The country’s progress depends on converting knowledge into problem-solving capacity,” he said, adding that higher education institutions are best placed to identify challenges, generate expertise and deliver workable solutions.
Pezeshkian argued that universities should be assessed primarily on their ability to address real-world issues rather than on academic output alone.
He urged every university, regardless of size or location, to engage with the needs of its surrounding community and contribute to resolving regional and national challenges.
He also emphasized the need for multidisciplinary approaches to increasingly complex problems, calling for greater involvement by academics, researchers and students in policymaking and implementation.
Criticizing the expansion of some higher education institutions without clear objectives or measurable impact, the president said resource allocation and performance evaluations should be redesigned around effectiveness, scientific output and mission fulfilment.
He advocated merit-based funding and remuneration systems that reward meaningful contributions to research, education and social development.
Pezeshkian further encouraged stronger student participation in practical initiatives ranging from social and cultural programs to efforts aimed at improving productivity and efficiency, saying direct engagement would strengthen responsibility and civic involvement.
Addressing governance, he said national management should not remain concentrated within a limited circle of decision-makers and stressed the importance of drawing on the expertise of a broader range of scholars and specialists.
The president also stressed the importance of accurate public communication during sensitive periods, warning against narratives that could create distorted perceptions of national realities.
He said universities have a responsibility to promote evidence-based analysis, strengthen public understanding and help guide decision-making through credible research.
Pledging full government support for academic participation in tackling national challenges, Pezeshkian said mobilizing the country’s scientific and human resources could help accelerate development and narrow remaining gaps with more advanced nations.