Iran Calls for New Mission for Science and Technology Parks

Iran's Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-Based Economy has called for a transformation in the role of the country's science and technology parks as part of broader reforms to the governance of science and innovation. Speaking at the New Architecture of Science and Technology Governance event in Tehran, Hossein Afshin said science and technology must serve the country's production system and address national needs.

Afshin stressed that this shift should begin within the education system, arguing that schools should promote innovation and targeted wealth creation as part of their long-term educational strategy. He described capability building as the "master key" to technological development, saying sustainable success depends on the ability to create value chains that translate innovation into economic growth.

Focusing on artificial intelligence, Afshin said the country must invest in high-quality data, digital infrastructure, and skilled human capital. Without these foundations, he argued, AI technology will not contribute meaningfully to wealth creation or economic development. He also urged industries to adopt new technologies and innovation more actively, adding that the country's future strength will depend on building interconnected technology networks capable of supporting national development and governance.

According to Afshin, technology should enable the country to transform future challenges into opportunities for innovation and economic growth.

He said achieving this objective requires redefining the mission of science and technology parks so that the national innovation ecosystem moves beyond an event-driven approach. Afshin added that the development of third- and fourth-generation science and technology parks forms part of this new strategy.

The vice president also called for reforms to the roles of elite support organizations and the National Science Foundation to better align them with the country's evolving science, technology, and innovation priorities.

https://www.irib-news.ir/fa/news/5863785/تحول-در-ماموریت-پارک‌های-علم-و-فناوری