U.S.-Iran Engagement in Science, Engineering, and Health (2010-2016) A Resilient Program but an Uncertain Future (2017) / Chapter Skim
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2 Context for Science-Engagement Activities
2 Context for Science-Engagement Activities
Pages 17-42
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From page 17... ...
A primary objective of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (the National Academies) in embarking on a science-engagement program with Iranian organizations in 2000 was to help increase professional contacts, which would benefit American and Iranian participants, their institutions, and the international science community more broadly.
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From page 18... ...
Nor have powerful isolation-oriented voices succeeded in suppressing the views of others who believe that scientific cooperation is essential if Iran is to graduate from being viewed as a developing country and join the ranks of the industrialized countries in the foreseeable future.2 In the United States, much of the early enthusiasm for science-engagement had declined by 2010, in view of the uncertainties and difficulties in carrying out rewarding exchanges within the downward spiral of the bilateral political relationship between the two governments. However, as noted in Chapter 1, the National Academies decided to revive their program after a temporary pause in carrying out cooperative activities.
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From page 19... ...
Intimately linked to the interests of the Iranian government in international engagement in science has been the evolution of the government's policy in striving for a knowledge-based economy, which is highlighted. The continued expansion of educational opportunities and research activities in selected fields and the effort to expand the number of technology-oriented companies despite economic constraints are discussed since they reflect important Iranian commitments that should be taken into account in designing the National Academies' strategy for engaging Iran in ways that are mutually beneficial.
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From page 20... ...
These proceedings have been important documents in highlighting serious research efforts in Iran and the United States. In some cases, the proceedings are the only readily available records of significant Iranian research achievements.
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requirements, and arranging for the presence at events of both key scientific leaders and early-career researchers were sometimes difficult. Additionally, financial support for engagement activities was often uncertain; and almost all activities depended to an extent on a number of scientists contributing considerable personal time and even personal financial resources to ensure success.
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From page 22... ...
During the initial period of cooperation, the National Academies did not attempt to adhere to a master list of priorities in terms of topics, methods of cooperation, or types of projects, although priority interests were a frequent topic of discussion between the scientific leaders and their supporting staffs of the two countries. The activities were difficult to arrange, and ease of implementation was an important criterion in moving forward with a proposal of mutual interest when selecting projects to be supported.
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From page 23... ...
In addition, the National Academies played an important role in serving as an unofficial interlocutor between the department and other interested nongovernmental scientific organizations in the United States. Among the issues of broad concern were the changing political constraints in Washington and Tehran on exchanges, developments concerning personal safety of American travelers, and occasionally new funding opportunities to support exchanges.
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From page 24... ...
Also, pointers to additional information in this area are set forth, while recognizing that considerable information is available on the many English-language websites established and regularly updated by hundreds of relevant Iranian organizations, and particularly public sector organizations. By the early 2000s, government leaders of Iran had become impatient with the rate of progress in attaining international recognition for Iran's science and technology (S&T)
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From page 25... ...
When President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad took the reins, for example, he was to chair a national council that would address the most important S&T issues facing the country. After several meetings -- directed in large measure 5 Reza Mansouri, former Deputy Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, "Presentation," Washington, D.C., September 13, 2006.
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From page 26... ...
16. For a more detailed schematic diagram of the many organizations involved in formulating science, technology, and innovation policy, see United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, "Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy Review, Iran," New York and Geneva, 2017, page 36.
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These two ministries and other government bodies also allocate limited funds to their research centers that should provide leadership for the country in selected areas. By 2007, the Iranian government had appointed a Vice President for Science and Technology.
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From page 28... ...
But as import opportunities declined due to sanctions and the increasing economic crisis, the government significantly increased its efforts to strengthen the technological contributions of knowledge-based companies -- both in the public and private sector. 8 Center for Innovation and Technology Cooperation, A Summary of Selected Technological Achievements in the Islamic Republic of Iran, Tehran, 2012.
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From page 29... ...
These incentives included tax and tariff breaks for 15 years, long-term and short-term loans at low interest rates, priorities in techno-parks and special economic zones, and financed guaranties on quality products from production through distribution and use. While the survival and success of many of the firms have yet to be determined, the focus on private companies -- including both partially owned government enterprises and completely private firms -- has certainly captured the attention of high-tech aspirants throughout the country.10 Representatives of these companies began playing increasingly active roles in science-engagement activities with western counterparts, particularly in exchanges supported by European organizations.
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A few centers are stand-alone centers, while others are subordinate to universities or other parent institutions. Twelve of the centers have long been considered by the Iranian government as "major" centers and have with some difficulty withstood the economic slump of recent years.
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From page 31... ...
Spurred by these and other developments, Iranian researchers claimed seventh place in the number of international publications on nanotechnology among the countries engaged in relevant research. However, concerns mounted in Tehran that quantity and not quality had become the primary metric of success.13 While government and university centers dominate the research scene, several quasi-independent institutions are also important.
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From page 32... ...
The President of Iran appoints the presidents of the academies after he receives recommendations developed during electoral processes within the academies. The Academy of Sciences and Academy of Medical Sciences have been significant participants in international science-engagement activities during the past 15 years.
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From page 33... ...
In recent years, the Academy has become more active than in earlier times in providing advice to the government on policies governing research and related activities. This development is consistent with global trends for such academies to stretch beyond traditional interests in the history of science to the applications and the policy implications of research at the national, regional, and global levels.
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From page 34... ...
Academy of Medical Sciences17 The goal of the Academy of Medical Sciences is "to achieve scientific and cultural independence in the field of medical sciences and promote the art of medical research. Also, it is to support medical innovations in the country, including the support of projects involving young researchers." In 2015, the Academy had 32 members and 30 affiliate members.
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From page 35... ...
These operations have included not only routine kidney transplants but also difficult liver transplants, for example. In cooperation with the Tehran University of Medical Science and other leading research centers, the Academy carries out a program of careful tracking of both donors and recipients following operations and has accumulated extensive records that provide guidance on maintaining healthy lifestyles following such major surgeries.18 Also of importance to the Academy are its many publications in Farsi and in English that report on the achievements of the medical science community.
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From page 36... ...
A particularly important responsibility of the medical universities is their management of a significant portion of the country's public health system. Most medical universities have responsibility for providing primary care health services for designated geographic areas that blanket the country, in addition to their educational and research responsibilities.
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Academies' most ambitious joint project focused on improving services in addressing food-borne diseases, and the collaborators in this project were the Oregon State Health Department and Shaheeb Beheshti Medical University. The support of the Iranian government for the university's outreach activities, which involved hundreds of volunteer health workers in rural areas who were trained by the university, was very impressive.
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From page 38... ...
Their pre-occupation with a university degree has been reinforced by policies of the government that require a degree for employment in most public sector jobs. Also candidates for many elected positions, such as members of city councils, must hold university degrees.23 Can expanded cooperation with U.S.
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4. The Iranian government, individual Iranian organizations, and even international organizations financed sabbatical leaves abroad for Iranian university professors who then had new opportunities to address developments on the cutting edge of their fields of interest.
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One contends that sanctions have forced Iran to strengthen its internal scientific capabilities rather than to look abroad for scientific achievements that lead to economic success. The sanctions of concern were as follows: during the hostage crisis (1979-1981)
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From page 41... ...
This realization offers a hope for a brighter future in Iran."30 Others argue that there may well be short-term benefits from sanctions; but the long-term negative impacts of sanctions that reduce available funds for supporting education and research limit access to international technologies and inhibit international scientific cooperation. That said, long-term sanctions will probably have a corrosive effect on efforts of Iran to develop a stable and modern infrastructure for supporting a knowledge-based economy.
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