On Monday October 13, 2025, Dr. Shadi Jamili, Head of the Permanent Secretariat of the Young Scientists Festival, met with Dr. Mohammad Ali Akbari, President of the University of Applied Science and Technology, to discuss expanding academic collaboration and fostering innovation among young researchers.
The meeting opened with remarks from Dr. Soroush Moddab, Executive Secretary of the festival, who outlined the founding vision of the Jamili Science and Technology Foundation and introduced the festival’s three core categories: Idea Section, Startup Owners, and Outstanding Young Faculty Members. He emphasized that all prizes awarded through the festival are fully funded by the foundation.
Dr. Moddab also presented the innovation ecosystem of Zarrin Industris and Mining Group, which includes the Young Scientists Festival, the Ansoo Academy, the Aan Investment Group, and the Minetech Accelerator — a comprehensive model designed to nurture ideas, provide specialized training, and support the commercialization of youth-led innovations.
International expansion was another focal point of the discussion, with updates on ongoing meetings with various embassies and the formation of cross-border partnerships.
Dr. Jamili highlighted the festival’s mission to translate ideas into practical solutions and described the University of Applied Science as an ideal platform for achieving this goal. She noted the university’s emphasis on skill-based education and called for deeper engagement between the two institutions to advance scientific collaboration.
Dr. Ali Akbari reaffirmed the university’s full support for the festival and expressed readiness to cooperate in both research and educational initiatives. He pointed to the university’s extensive network of centers embedded within major industrial and economic organizations, designed to train skilled professionals and enhance practical competencies in real-world business environments — a capacity he believes can significantly contribute to joint efforts with the festival.
Also in attendance were Dr. Hassan Rostam Zadeh, board member of Zarrin Mining Asia Co.; Engineer Ahoora Rostam Zadeh; and Engineer Alireza Shadfar, members of the festival’s secretariat.
