TEHRAN – Over the past year, in order to achieve a resilient and knowledge-based economy, the Vice Presidency for Science and Technology has implemented a series of activities aimed at further developing the ecosystem of the innovation and technology in the country.
The Vice Presidency for Science and Technology was founded in 2006 as one of the subsets of the government with the slogan of moving from an oil-based economy to a knowledge-based economy, aiming to increase the technological capabilities and innovation to generate wealth of knowledge and improve people’s quality of life.
Thus, more than 7,000 knowledge-based enterprises and 1,600 creative enterprises have so far been registered and started their activities.
Strengthening knowledge-based enterprises is on the agenda, raising hopes to reduce obstacles on the path to development.The fields of biotechnology, agriculture, food industries, chemical technologies, aircraft maintenance, steel, gas, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and medicine, petroleum, electronics and telecommunications, information technology and computer software are some of the sectors in which researchers from technology companies have engaged. .
The leader of the Islamic Revolution, Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has designated the current Iranian year as “the year of production: based on knowledge and job creation”. Strengthening knowledge-based enterprises is on the agenda, raising hopes to reduce obstacles on the path to development.
Over the past year, in order to achieve a resilient and knowledge-based economy, a series of activities have been carried out to further develop the innovation and technology ecosystem in the country, including attracting involvement of relevant ministries, approving and rapidly implementing the law on the development of knowledge-based production, expanding activities related to the law on the protection of knowledge-based enterprises and institutions.
Also, in order to provide technological solutions to national challenges, a strategic technological development headquarters was formed and 362,000 technological projects and 154 commercialization projects were supported, in addition to the inauguration of 23 national mega-projects.
Additionally, in the area of innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem development, 65 creative houses and innovation centers and 30 specialized accelerators have been established, as well as the empowerment and capacity building of export of knowledge-based, creative and technological enterprises.
In the field of elite turnover, the number of returning experts and entrepreneurs in Iran reaches 2,700, most of whom cooperate with universities and knowledge-based enterprises.
In the field of international cooperation, the private sector is supported to establish and launch overseas technology export and innovation houses, as well as 27 joint science and technology projects with the National Science Foundation of China and 22 technological cooperation projects with Russian companies.
Law to support knowledge-based businesses
With the aim of evaluating and supporting knowledge-based enterprises, the vice-presidency for science and technology has put on the agenda the implementation of the law on the protection of enterprises and institutions based on knowledge. on knowledge, which has resulted in the certification of 7.64 companies, sales of products worth $10 billion and employment of 350,000 people.
International cooperation
However, one of the other plans, which was made for the purpose of science and technology development, was to move towards international science and technology.
The joint cooperation program with the National Natural Science Foundation of China and the support of 27 joint science and technology projects, the holding of the sixth period of the Silk Road Science Fund, and the support of 6 research and joint development.
The implementation of 22 technological cooperation projects of Iranian and Russian knowledge-based enterprises, the start of technological cooperation between the top 5 Iranian universities of technology and the St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, and the establishment of the Center Iran-Russia scientific and technological exchange in St. Petersburg are among other measures taken in this regard.
Development of strategic technologies
To support the development of strategic technologies in the country, 205 technology development plans have been approved in accordance with the needs of society, and 23 needs-based technology plans have been defined in accordance with the stated priorities of organizations and institutions in the country.
The holding of more than 28 technological events, specialized meetings and webinars in strategic and specialized priority areas and the opening of 25 creation and innovation houses are other results of the implementation of this plan.
Support research
Also, with the aim of supporting researchers from university professors and graduate students, the project for a network of strategic technology laboratories has been put on the agenda.
The results and achievements of this project are the membership of 129 laboratories by providing 5,000 devices and 29,000 laboratory tests to the network, the membership of 14,570 new members of the customer club of this network, and the support of 112 laboratories members.
Support 1,688 postdoctoral researchers per month, support the publication of 17 articles in leading journals, support the participation of 46 people in prestigious courses and support the research of 75 postdoctoral researchers.
Act on the rise of knowledge-based production
One of the most important actions, with the cooperation of the Majlis (Iranian Parliament), was the approval and implementation of the law on the rise of knowledge-based production.
This law is approved and implemented with the aim of developing the business environment and supporting business growth and competitiveness as the country moves towards a knowledge-based economy.
FB/MG
