The 9th edition of the Young Scientists Festival was held on Wednesday, December 17th, 2025, at the Allameh Amini Hall of the University of Tehran, and idea generators, start-up businesses, and exemplary young professors were honored.
At this ceremony, Dr. Simaei Sarraf, Minister of Science, Research and Technology, emphasized Iran’s urgent need for progress and development, stating: “Development in today’s world is an inevitable necessity and a condition for the survival of our beloved Iran. Scientific development goes through the path of education, research and technology; a path that, by relying on the hope, creativity and empowerment of young people, can create a better future for the country.”
The Minister of Science emphasized: “We too will find our lost one, we too will overcome problems by relying on our dear youth. I congratulate the Jamili Foundation for making the best investment; investing in youth is the smartest investment.”
During this ceremony, Dr. Mahmoud Kamarei, the Festival’s Director, stated: “This festival is one of the approved festivals by the Ministry of Science. This festival has expanded in recent years both qualitatively and quantitatively, both in terms of participants and ideas produced. A large number of people with different academic levels ranging from diploma to postdoctoral levels participated in this festival.”
Dr. Ebrahim Jamili, the head of the Festival’s Policy Council, continued by talking about generational differences: “We must pay special attention to generations Z and Alpha. Many people of the new generation are currently trying to emigrate. But this festival is an opportunity to tell them that their work is being seen. As a result, this festival should be supported more at different levels.”
Dr. Mohammad Hossein Omid, the President of the University of Tehran, emphasized the support for youth and elites who are pursuing the path of science and said: “We have many conferences in the country, but this festival was held by the suggestion of Mr. Jamili, the head of the Jamili Science and Technology Foundation, who is himself an engineer.”
He also pointed out three important features of this festival and said: “The first feature is that unlike many conferences in the country that are organized by executive bodies, this event is organized by someone with industrial and economic experience with the aim of motivating young people. The second feature of this festival is that it was designed specifically for young people from the beginning, and the third feature is its focus on basic sciences. Unfortunately, the field of basic sciences has received less attention in the last few decades, and its acceptance by young people has also decreased.”
Dr. Zahra Behrouz Azar, Vice President for Women and Family Affairs, stated: “Today, we are proud to announce that more than 60 percent of university admissions in the country are women, and 24 percent of the country’s inventions are registered by women; while the global average for this indicator is between 14 and 17 percent. These statistics show that the capacity of women is far beyond imagination and that they can work alongside men for the progress of our beloved Iran.”
The Vice President for Women and Family Affairs also said: “The effective movement of the Young Scientists Festival also indicates the increasing presence of women; according to the statistics provided, more than 45 percent of the participants and awardees of this festival are valuable Iranian girls, which is a matter of pride and congratulations.”
Dr. Hojjatollah Seydi – Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Organization – acknowledged: This festival is a festival of hope and we alive with hope. For development, society must also develop. The concern of the country’s elders and the people is development and progress, and for development we need science. Gross domestic product and economic power need capital, science and knowledge, and good governance.
Dr. Samad Hassanzadeh, President of the Iran Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture, stated that universities and scientific institutions should be the reference and pioneers in creating hope in society, adding: “We expect scientific achievements to solve problems and issues in society, and that the results of research and achievements will help increase the general welfare of society.”
Dr. Reza Ameri, Secretary of the Festival and Dean of the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Tehran, continued: “As stated in the motto of this festival, the purpose of holding this festival is to pay special attention to the youth; young people who are considered the country’s proud assets and who will take on the responsibility of running the country’s affairs in various fields in the near future, and therefore need serious support.”
Dr. Ameri stated that this festival has significant differences in various aspects, and said: “Both in terms of the position it has found in the country and the support it receives, it can be a prelude to strengthening the country’s science and technology policies. Of course, we believe that this support is still very small and should be increased significantly, but we take it as a good omen and hope to witness wider support from policymakers and the government in the upcoming years.”
