According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Sorena Sattari, the vice president for science and technology affairs, pointed out the formation of a social transformation by knowledge-based companies and startups on the 16^th National Assembly of Research & Technology Departments of Islamic Azad University, expressing: several thousands of start-ups and business startup companies operate in the country"s economy, , which have been able to create a social movement in the society and the country"s business environment through their transformation.

Sattari regarded the role of women in knowledge-based companies and startups to be due to cultural changes caused by the formation of the ecosystem for these businesses, asserting: the evolution of the culture of startup ecosystem is significant, as the role of women in knowledge-based and startup companies is very high. Managers and key people and the impact of a significant number of these businesses is due to the presence of women, which is a major development.

Creating a Transformation in the Culture of Society is Necessary for the Formation of a Favorable Business Environment

The vice president for science and technology affairs emphasized the change in the culture of the society for correcting the business environment, stating: the business environment and economy of the country is infected by oil-based revenues. This environment has prevented entrepreneurs and idea owners to turn their innovations into businesses and occupations. The government cannot correct this environment along, and serious determination of the society is required to change the culture and move toward the proper innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

He continued: by creating the necessary foundations and the business environment, more than 1100 top talents have been returned to the country, most of whom have been graduated from top universities of the world.

The Startup Ecosystem of Iran Is Unique

The vice president for science and technology affairs pointed out the lack of ability of neighboring countries to reach the dynamic startup ecosystem of Iran, claiming: Iran has a unique startup ecosystem in the region, which is among the bests of the world. Over the last few years, we have been able to create a suitable environment for knowledge-based businesses and startups, so that activists of the field could affect the life of people with their innovative ideas.

Sattari continued: we have provided a 2*2 space for activities of knowledge-based businesses and startups. Fortunately, more than 3700 knowledge-based companies and thousands of startups are active in the country owing to the establishment of this environment. In addition, these companies have had a revenue of 60 thousand billion tomans last year.

The president of the national elites foundation mentioned the special place of Iran in human resource index based on global innovation index (Gii), affirming: more than 30 million youth and four and a half million students have a unique characteristic for development of knowledge-based economy. Meanwhile, in other indicators of innovation, such as the business environment, there must be a change in the culture of society.

He mentioned the necessity of attention to innovative capacity of human resources by universities and research centers, expressing: in oil-based universities, government recruitment has been turned into a dream for the youth, which will definitely lead to loss of creativity. 

We Have to Change Our Attitude toward Research

The vice president for science and technology affairs pointed out the necessity of change of attitude toward research, asserting: knowledge and technology cannot be bought. In fact, they must be learnt. We build well-equipped laboratories, but do not use it well, while the research budget of Iran is higher than most developed countries in the world. Whenever I see an unused laboratory or research center, I become very sad.

Sattari emphasized the necessity of investment of the private sector in research, expressing: an environment must be created so that the private sector could invest in knowledge-based businesses and startups since the private sector knows best how to prioritize its assets.

Signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology Affairs and Islamic Azad University

During this ceremony, a memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs and Islamic Azad University by Sattari and Tehranchi. This agreement is made to develop knowledge-based economy and use the capacities of the university in research and innovation.

Honoring the Prominent Activists of the Field

In addition, Ali Akbar Velayati, chairman of the board of trustees of Islamic Azad University, Mohammad Mahdi Tehranchi, head of Islamic Azad University, Bijhan Ranjbar, vice chancellor for research and technology of the university, and Ali Vahdat, head of innovation foundation, along with Sorena Sattari, honored the prominent activists in the field of knowledge-based businesses, research, technological ideas, and research and technology deputy.