According to the public relations and information center of the Vice-Presidency for science and technology affairs, Amir Ali Hamidieh, secretary of stem cells science and technology development headquarter, stated about holding the first student Olympiad of stem cells and tissue engineering: the areas of stem cells, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine are some of the prioritized areas in the country according to the comprehensive science plan of Iran. With regard to the document of the stem cells science and technology development headquarter, this science has been allocated to the headquarter as well.

He expressed: in order to promote and develop science and persuade the top students to participate in this interdisciplinary field, one of the considered solutions is holding a student Olympiad in this field.

Hamidieh pointed out that various Olympiads have been held in the country to this date, affirming: the ministries of research and technology and health and medical education have their own specific regulations. Therefore, holding a new Olympiad, especially in an interdisciplinary way, does not exist in any of the regulations.

Secretary of stem cells science and technology development headquarter mentioned the national organization of educational testing of the country have had considerable cooperation with the headquarter in this area. He continued: during several meetings, the national organization of educational testing is selected as the custodian of holding the first student Olympiad of stem cells and tissue engineering.

According to Hamidieh, the format of this Olympiad as the first interdisciplinary Olympiad will be different since there is no Olympiad in BSc fields of universities.

He also explained: in other words, the selected students of the first phase of the specialized student Olympiad will participate in their own specialized Olympiad or in the stem cells and tissue engineering Olympiad.

Secretary of stem cells science and technology development headquarter regarded this event as a step toward understanding the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine by individuals with various perspectives and specialties. This can lead to accelerated pace of future developments in the field of stem cells and regenerative medicine.

He also emphasized: the national organization of educational testing has aimed to provide the facilities for all winners of the Olympiad, similar to the winners of other Olympiads.

The first student Olympiad of stem cells and tissue engineering will be held in the academic year of 2017-2018 across the country with the support of stem cells science and technology development headquarter and with the cooperation of the national organization of educational testing.

For more information, please refer to the master"s instruction sheet of 2017-2018.