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, regarded the development of the entrepreneurship ecosystem as the most important factor for returning the top talents and elites to the country in the opening ceremony of the “18^th exhibition of research, technology and technomart achievements”. In this regard, he stated: the only strategy for returning top Iranian elites and talents, who are students or employees in other countries, is the establishment of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in the country.

Provision of the Foundation for Activities of Students inside the Country

The president of national elites foundation pointed out the decreased exist of Iranian students and provision of the foundation for return of top skills to the country, expressing: in the past years, a major part of students (100 out of 170 thousand students) were outside of the country, in a way that 57 thousand of them were studying in America, forming the largest colony of international students in the Unites Stated. However, creation of innovative business infrastructures has led to significantly decreased number of Iranian students in other countries and has provided the opportunity for return of young elites to the country.

According to Sattari, from four million and 700 thousand students of the country, which is a unique rate, compared to other countries, only 12 thousand students are studying in America. This has realized by the formation of the infrastructure for education and creative businesses of students.

Establishment of Successful Startups by Iranian Students

The vice president for science and technology affairs mentioned the increased number students who returned to Iran in the past few years, which has led to the establishment of successful startups able to create high added values. In this regard, knowledge-based companies have recruited non-resident Iranian students, who received about $600 thousand of salary in the previous job.

According to Sattari, investment of the private sector in startups is of paramount importance.

Favorable Condition of Stability in Return of Iranian Students Compared to Other Countries

The president of national elites foundation of Iran affirmed that citation of unofficial statistics on high immigration rate of Iranian students is not correct. He continued: in contrast to the unofficial statistics, which exaggerate the number of Iranian students in other countries, the rate of Iranian students in other nations is not high.

Sattari pointed out the favorable condition of Iran for stability in return of Iranian students, compared to the other regional countries, asserting: Suadi Arabia and South Korea have five and seven times more students in America, respectively. Meanwhile, the number of Iranian students in other countries is not high and some presented statistics are exaggerated.

Necessity of Moving of Students toward the Progress of the Country through Innovative Businesses

Vice president of the board of trustees of national science foundation emphasized the necessity of role of students in development of domestic GDP and progress of the country through the establishment of innovative and creative businesses, stating: despite the significant number of students, their impact on the GDP of the country is not favorable. Meanwhile, students play a key role in growth of GDP of countries.

Sattari also regarded the lack of an innovative and technological ecosystem as the main barrier to the realization of this goal.

Key Role of the Private Sector in Establishment of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem

According to the vice president for science and technology affairs, the private sector must more invest in the innovation and technology ecosystem in order to form technological startups and establish knowledge-based companies around universities.

Sattari considered the cooperation of all sections and organization in the establishment of this ecosystem essential.

Development of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Culture for Creation of Ecosystem of Creative Companies

Head of the knowledge-based economy, technology and science development headquarter regarded the promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship an inevitable necessity for the formation of an innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

“Top Elites and Talents” Are Powerful Ambassadors of Iran in Other Countries

The vice president for science and technology affairs pointed out the favorable capacity of top talents and elites of Iran in other countries for introducing the entrepreneurial abilities and capacities of the country, marking: Iranian young students and elites promote the culture of Iran, support of whom can provide the foundation for improved economy of the country.

Visit of Research and Technomart Achievements

The vice president for science and technology affairs visited the 18^th exhibition of research, technology and technomart of Iran and learned about the new achievements of research and technological abilities of the universities of the country.

It is noteworthy that the 18^th exhibition of research, technology and technomart achievements was held during the week of research and technology (December 13^th-17^th, 2017) in the presence of universities, research centers, science and technology parks and growth centers and some of the related ministries and organizations.