The commissioner for human resources, science and technology African union commission expressed that this level of development in science and technology in Iran and the special attention of its government to this issue is surprising.

According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs,  Sarah Anyang Agbor, the commissioner for human resources, science and technology African union commission, complimented the level of scientific and technological improvement in Iran in the past 40 years despite the international sanctions against this country in a meeting with Sattari, the vice president for science and technology affairs.

During her three days of visiting Iran, Agbor visited Sharif University of Technology, the national biotechnology and genetic engineering research institute, Pardis Technology Park, the nanotechnology development headquarter, and Karaj Agricultural Institute of Biotechnology, expressing her astonishment about the level of progress in the research and technology of Iran and special attention its government has paid to this issue.

In addition to explaining the 2063 program of the African Union for development of new sciences and technologies in various fields in different countries of Africa to reach the “African Dream”, Agbor stated: although African countries are keen on developing long-term strategic and plans for development, what I saw during these visits in Iran was that, instead of codifying the program, Iran has been pursuing a high-level pragmatic approach to achieving its goals. Establishing the ecosystems needed to develop technology in the country from universities and research centers to industry is one of the most important actions that have taken place in Iran. I clearly witnessed that many academic researchers and professors who were working in their knowledge-based companies, were commercializing their research achievements.

Iran has acted great in developing the entrepreneurial culture between academic and elite graduates and creating commercialization platforms through the establishment of growth centers, private accelerators, and high technology parks. I learned a lot about the science production chain, from human resource training to technology development and entrepreneurship.

An amazing Phenomenon in Nanotechnology of Iran

The commissioner for human resources, science and technology African pointed out her visit of nanotechnology development headquarter in Iran and regarded the realization of two long-term strategic programs of “increasing the capacity of nanotechnology in Iran” and “internationalization of nanotechnology achievements” to be astonishing. In this regard, she claimed: during the visit to the Nanotechnology Exhibit, I learned about how much research in modern science could be applicable for the community. In addition, I saw that many products were used to solve problems of everyday life. The production of numerous advanced drugs in the country and even the nanoscale formulations and self-sufficiency of the country in the production of more than 97% of the required drugs represents an integral management of science and technology development in your country. The African Union, most members of which completely import drugs and medical equipment, must take advantage of Iran"s experience.

In another part of her statements, Agbor said: this trip was very beneficial to us and we wish that other African scholars and professors would have the chance to visit Iran"s science and technology ecosystem. This constructive space between academics and students, and the existence of various entrepreneurial tools alongside universities and research centers, clarified our perspectives on our work practices at Pan-African University. The most important tool we lack in the universities of Africa is the lack of presence of accelerators and industrial parks alongside our university centers, in order to mentor and provide counseling to graduates’ businesses in the country and prevent elite emigration. In this regard, we really need to exchange experiences with Iranians on the return of the elites and the preservation of human capital, and to receive expert advice in the field of science and technology policy in order to reach the goals of Africa in 2063.

Use of Existing Tools in Iran

The commissioner for human resources, science and technology African talked about the culture of “the society needs me and I need the society” in African societies, asking the vice president for science and technology affairs to use all tools in Iran to develop virtual educations in African countries and promote entrepreneurship. On the other hand, she will dedicate efforts to lay the foundation for cooperation between the two countries in this field.

In the end, Agbor expressed that the cooperation between Iran and Africa is not limited to science production, emphasizing: transfer of knowledge could held both sides of market development, improve the industry, which could in return transfer knowledge to universities and science centers with its experiences.

She also proposed the establishment of a joint committee to follow up the mentioned issues and achieve goals and develop the Iranian technologies in Africa with a faster pace.