On January 30th, 2024, a partnership assessment meeting was held between the Young Scientists Festival (YSF) and the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, with a focus on identifying shared areas of interest. The meeting took place at the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park (UTSTP) and was attended by the Director of YSF Office and the Vice-Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship.
During the meeting, Dr. Reza MohammadKazemi highlighted the capabilities of 22 companies located at the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park. The Vice-Chair holder of the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship emphasized the potential correlation between these enterprises and the YSF winners, highlighting the relevance of these initiatives on a global scale. He proposed various collaboration opportunities, including organizing conferences, participating in international events, and facilitating educational workshops, with a particular emphasis on providing financial and moral support to research projects undertaken by advanced studies students, fostering an entrepreneurial mindset.
Dr. Reza MohammadKazemi further suggested gradually strengthening international cooperation between the involved parties to extend the international initiatives of the UNESCO Basic Science and Technology Club.
Maryam Karimzadeh, an expert of the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship, mentioned the presence of 14 UNESCO Chairs in Iran, with several chairs from various units of the University of Tehran being part of this collection. The UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship serves as a prime example of these chairs. It was noted that the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship began its activities in 2010 and has extended its license until 2027 due to its extensive international engagements in Iran.
Dr. Shadi Jamili, Director of YSF Office, provided a comprehensive overview of the objectives and initiatives of the Young Scientists Festival (YSF) and the UNESCO Basic Science and Technology Club. She stressed the importance of international endeavors that align with UNESCO’s objectives.
Regarding the proposal to support student theses, Dr. Jamili highlighted the need for a well-defined execution procedure and endorsement from YSF experts following their participation in the defense meeting. She expressed her commitment to establishing a connection between the YSF winners and the companies located at the University of Tehran Science and Technology Park (UTSTP).
Shabnam Asadi, YSF Secretary of the Development and Innovation Committee, announced the ongoing preparations of the YSF secretariat. They are actively working to establish a collaborative workspace focused on the YSF’s themes and have extended an invitation to the executives of the UNESCO Chair in Entrepreneurship to join in this collective brainstorming effort.
