Parviz Karami

Advisor to the vice president for science and technology affairs

Starting a new year increases the commitment and responsibility of the living more than the last year. The opportunity provided to individuals with new experiences must be seized and lead to a new way of thinking and mood. Now that we are at the beginning of the year of “boosting production” and receive kindness from the earth and the sky, we must point out some issues:

1. We are at the verge of entering the second step of the Islamic revolution. We have many experiences and lessons from the last 40 years. Now is the time to use all teachings. Over the first four decades of the revolution, we experienced war, construction, sanction and scientific acceleration and thousands of notes and experienced tears and laughs. The second step is accompanied by greater experiences and achievements of the Islamic revolution of Iran. What is hopefully obtained during this time is relying on the creative and young workforce of the country. Reaching the valuable gem of “we can” is an important accomplishment. In addition, we have been able to deal with shortages and barriers. Meanwhile, science and technology have played undeniable roles, which is in fact something we take to the second step of the revolution.

2. People, technologists, knowledge-based companies, startups and authorities are three sides of the triangle of sustainability and persistence against difficulties of today’s world. Authorities must provide services and facilities to the other two sides and modify and remove barriers to national production and economic flourishing. In addition, people must support the authorities. Trusting the technologists of knowledge-based companies and startups is the output of the dynamic and flourishing path. These three sides must work sincerely with each other. However, a long and strong umbrella can protect all three and guarantee their work with each other, which is recognized as the ecosystem of innovation and technology. This ecosystem will not be achieved without the work of the people and the presence of the Supreme Leader. It will be lost without creativity and innovation of technologists and researchers and their valuable cooperation with industrialists. It will not exist without the attention of authorities. The economy of resistance and knowledge-based economy gain a new meaning by establishing the ecosystem of innovation and technology. It is better for all authorities, industrialists, technologists, and the public to better recognize the ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship.

3. Over the past few years, Iranian service-providing startups have been properly established, grown and recognized by the people. This shows that the Iranian people adapt to creativity and have a high social and cultural flexibility. However, now is the time to more seriously establish specialized, technological and product-based startups, which would be associated with passing the first generation of Iranian startups and move toward product-based startups. In the new year, the Vice-Presidency will take new steps with a greater acceleration. Specialized startups will improve our position in the world. Its mechanism is prepared and the players of the ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship are fully prepared. This is a great news to all Iranians, who must be ready to hear heart-warming news from elites and technologists working in knowledge-based companies in 2019.

In these sweet moments of the new year, I have many wishes for my country, which will be soon achieved by the efforts of the people, knowledge-based activists and authorities. I wish you all health and happiness, God willing.