The vice president for science and technology affairs
stated: Iran is recognized as the last 10 countries in terms of emigration due
to the establishment of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

According to the information center of national elites foundation,Sorena Sattari, the
vice president for science and technology affairs, pointed out the formation of
a development approach in the country toward knowledge-based businesses and
startups during his interview on the TV program of “Titr Emshab”, expressing:
in order to pass resource-based economy and move toward progression, we need to
achieve an economy based on knowledge, creativity and innovation of young and
educated workforce, who can transform the inefficient and worn out structures
and approaches, especially in the area of economy and culture of
entrepreneurship.

Sattari continued: oil has provided many benefits for Iran
but has also betrayed the culture of Iran, such as government employment, which
has denied the innovation in youth. Innovation has no limitation and can create
wealth by relying on the motivation and self-confidence of the educated youth.

The vice president for science and technology stated: most
of our problems are rooted in our culture since people must first believe in
the youth and invest in their thoughts and creativity.

According to Sattari, young entrepreneurs are like soldiers
who fight against the faulty culture of economy based on underground resources
and promotion of the culture of knowledge-based economy with the development of
startups and knowledge-based businesses.

Change in the Trend of Elite
Emigration

President of the national elites foundation pointed out
that Iran is not among the first countries in terms of emigration of elites and
students, adding: many beliefs and statistics toward the emigration of elites
and students have been reverses and the trend of returning elites to the
country for establishing knowledge-based businesses and startups has improved.

He mentioned that a considerable number of elites, Olympiad
participants, and top university entrance exam individuals continue their path
of innovation and creativity in knowledge-based companies and startups worth
billions. In this regard, he expressed: currently, Iran is not among the
countries with high emigration rates and many of the top talents and elites are
active in knowledge-based companies and startups of Iran.

Sattari identified the nature of startups to be growing
slowly and in short time, conveying: due to this feature, Iranian startups have
experienced a considerable growth, especially in areas of service provision
based on information and communication technology. These companies provide
accessible, high-quality and cost-effective services.

The vice president for science and technology affairs
pointed out the increasing growth of science in the country after the Islamic
revolution and leap of the country in production of science, stating: the
scientific level of Iran has had a significant growth, in a way that we are
ranked 15^th in the world regarding scientific article production.

Sattari emphasized the necessity of localization and
adaptation of curriculums in universities and research and science centers in
line with the requirements, conditions and capacities of the country. In this
regard, he affirmed: given the fact that university was an exported phenomenon
in Iran before the Islamic revolution, curriculums, resources and structures of
universities have not been localized. Therefore, universities have failed to
interact with the industry. However, there has been significant leaps in this
regard over the past few years.

Necessity of Simultaneous Qualitative
and Quantitative Growth in Science and Technology

Sattari regarded the simultaneous qualitative and
quantitative growth of the country to be necessary for development of
knowledge-based economy, stating: Iran has a significant quantitative growth in
the area of science production. For instance, Iran is the fourth country of the
world in terms of production of scientific articles in nanotechnology area. In
addition, Iran is among the best countries with high number of graduates in
fields of technical, engineering and basic science with having 4.7 million
students. However, the qualitative advancement must be taken into consideration
as well.

President of the knowledge-based economy, technology and
science development headquarter stated that establishment of a proper
entrepreneurship ecosystem is the solution for development of applicable
studies and knowledge-based companies and startups, adding: the proper
ecosystem of knowledge-based businesses leads to the formation of studies based
on needs of people through changing their attitudes toward the economy. In
fact, knowledge-based economy is realized only through the establishment of the
mentioned ecosystem. In this regard, research will be conducted based on the
social needs and universities play their role in occupation and advancement.

He continued: our educational system is equivalent to
American universities despite a few shortages. One of the current problems of
America is the return of Iranian elites to their country.

Sattari regarded the importance of the private sector in
progress of commercial and applicable research, affirming: the advancement and
effect of research on life of people are observed due to the presence of the
private sector in this area since research that is created by government money
will have no significant results. Therefore, the final product will not be
approved by society members.

The vice president for science and technology affairs
mentioned the proper infrastructures for activities of knowledge-based
businesses to adhere to the support law of these companies, adding: more than
120 services are provided for knowledge-based companies. However, the most
important issue is support of and confidence in the youth, which must be institutionalize
in the country.