Pezeshkian urges universities to help tackle key national woes
President Masoud Pezeshkian on Monday called on Iranian universities to take a direct role in tackling the country's most pressing challenges, telling management professors in Tehran that the government aims to place scientific expertise at the heart of policymaking and public administration.
Speaking at his second specialized meeting with university faculty members, Pezeshkian said the administration's university-centered strategy is a cornerstone of improving governance and raising the efficiency of state institutions, president.ir reported.
"Universities should directly assume responsibility for solving the country's real-world problems," he said.
The president outlined a broad role for academic institutions in helping improve productivity, modernize management systems, streamline financial administration, boost human capital, reform regulations, and strengthen strategic planning across government agencies and organizations.
He said the results should be measured through clear performance indicators and the value they create.
Pezeshkian also stressed that universities should become training grounds for future decision-makers by integrating education with practical experience. "Students should learn while working in the field," he said, adding that such an approach would produce capable managers with firsthand experience in addressing national issues.
Merit-based appointments, rather than political considerations or personal connections, should guide public-sector recruitment and promotions, the president said, describing meritocracy as an essential principle of modern management and effective governance.
He identified energy consumption management as another priority where universities could make a tangible contribution. Decisions on energy development and consumption, he said, must be grounded in scientific research while taking economic, social, human, and environmental considerations into account.
"If a manager cannot properly control resource and energy consumption within the organization they oversee, their effectiveness should be questioned," Pezeshkian said, adding that public managers should be evaluated on productivity, efficient resource management, service quality, and public satisfaction.
The president also called for performance-based pay reforms and greater investment in professional skills development, saying universities could play a pivotal role in redesigning compensation systems and strengthening workforce capabilities.
He added that expanding teamwork and applying modern management practices would help accelerate administrative reform and support the country's long-term development.