Professor Hossein Simaei, the Minister of Science, Research, and Technology, attended the 38th Khwarizmi International Award and the 26th Khwarizmi Youth Award ceremony held on Sunday, February 23, 2025, at the Iran International Conference Center.
In his speech at the event, Minister Simaei emphasized the importance of scientific governance, stating, "Scientific governance is not elitist or insular. We cannot and should not define algorithms for innovation. The development of interdisciplinary sciences and research is a priority." His remarks highlighted the need for collaboration across various scientific fields to foster innovation and drive progress in research initiatives.
Minister Simaei stated: "I hope that through planning and review, we can create a model for discovering and managing innovative talents, and that the Khwarizmi Awards will serve as a bridge between science and industry to improve our innovation ranking."
He noted that Khwarizmi, alongside Farabi and Ibn Sina, demonstrated that knowledge knows no boundaries due to his mastery across various sciences and techniques. Through his research in algebra, authorship in astronomy, and studies in theology, he proclaimed the unity of knowledge.
The Minister emphasized the multidimensional nature of knowledge, stating that the path taken by Khwarizmi reveals that the limitation and division of fields is not a true division, but rather a result of human limitations. Many of Iranian great scholars were multidimensional, broad, and profound in their knowledge. Professor Simaei expressed that the borders of Iran are not merely geographical; the extent of Iran encompasses its culture, language, and vast heritage.
He added that it is not an exaggeration to say that Islamic civilization cannot exist without Iranian culture. A significant portion of science and a substantial share of literature and culture in Islamic civilization belongs to Iranians- great and proud individuals who, despite historical injustices and turmoil, stood firm in their pursuit of research, knowledge, Iran, and Islam.
Professor Simayi stressed that Khwarizmi, Zakariya, and Ibn Sina were not confined to a single area of knowledge or trapped within a specific scientific discipline. The key to innovation lies in this delicate aspect of multidimensionality, which we have gradually forgotten.
The Minister asserted that innovation does not adhere to a specific set of rules or methods. We cannot and should not define algorithms for innovation. The breadth and depth of knowledge provide individuals with the ability to innovate and creatively solve problems.
He highlighted the importance of technology in addressing societal needs, stating that technology is a human-made tool to fulfill needs. The criterion for progress in technology is success in meeting human requirements. This Award aims to identify and introduce innovators while recognizing the contributions of top technologists in addressing these needs.
The Minister referred to the history of the twentieth century and the combination and partnership of pure science with practical science, noting that this partnership transformed science and technology, creating a turning point in human life with the Industrial Revolution. He emphasized that today we must strive to prioritize the necessary review of policies and planning for the partnership of various sciences and the development of interdisciplinary research.
Professor Simayi remarked that the fourth wave of scientific development is contingent upon the advancement of converging technologies. He said that to achieve convergence, we must promote and deepen interdisciplinary research and study. He underscored the importance of the concept of governance, stating that scientific governance is not elitist or insular. Essentially, identifying an elite by quantifying elite characteristics is not true elitism.
The Minister noted that if a talented individual is not appreciated, they will go where they are valued. This migration is not always desired by the migrant; sometimes, it is a voluntary exile. He quoted the verse by Saadi:
“When a fish falls on dry land, it knows the value of water.”
He added that improving the innovation ranking requires investment and scientific and economic security. Undoubtedly, unjust and hostile sanctions have also impacted our innovation ranking. He expressed hope that God would save our Iran from calamities and our economy from sanctions so that science and technology may flourish in Iran.