The Institute for Advanced Studies in Basic Sciences (IASBS) has marked Basic Sciences Day. The Commander of the Ansarol-Mahdi Corps in Zanjan Province, General Mohsen Sahandi, and a group of officials met with the IASBS President, Prof Sadollah Nasiri Gheydari, to honour the country’s scientific community and discuss the role of basic sciences in scientific and technological progress.

The IASBS President opened the meeting by welcoming General Sahandi and his delegation. He expressed his gratitude for their visit and their attention to the importance of science and academia, while also thanking the military forces for their efforts in maintaining national security.

Referring to the scientific standing of the Institute, the IASBS President stated: “This university ranks among the top ten universities in the country in terms of the qualitative indices of education and research.” He added that as one of the province’s most prominent scientific assets, the presence of a university of this quality and capability in Zanjan serves as a valuable resource for serving the local population and contributing to the nation’s scientific development.

Next, the head of the Office of Representation of the Supreme Leader at the Ansarol-Mahdi Corps in Zanjan Province, Hojatoleslam Hassan Beigdeli, noted the status of basic science universities and emphasised the importance of balancing education with attention to the cultural and human dimensions within the academic environment. He also praised the contributions of the province’s academics in scientific, social, and cultural spheres, describing the link between the scientific community and the public as a valuable asset for the province.

The Commander of the Ansarol-Mahdi Corps in Zanjan Province, General Sahandi, also extended his congratulations on Basic Science Day and emphasised the role of basic sciences in the formation and development of advanced technologies. He described basic sciences as a fundamental pillar for developing scientific and technological capabilities and stressed the necessity of maintaining and strengthening this connection. Furthermore, the Commander praised the scientific, cultural, and student-related activities of the IASBS, as well as the various programmes hosted by the university.

Prof Nasiri Gheydari further highlighted the fundamental role of basic sciences in national progress, noting the historical significance of Basic Science Day in the national calendar and stressing the need for policymakers to give this field more serious attention.

In another part of the meeting, the Director of the IASBS Science and Technology Park, Dr Zamani, provided a report on the park’s activities, noting the existing capacities in the fields of knowledge-based companies and advanced technologies. He identified the lack of space for company establishment and limited financial resources as the most significant challenges facing the park, while emphasising the need for greater support for the development of the province’s science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the attendees welcomed the proposals made and emphasised the importance of holding expert and specialised meetings to facilitate scientific, research, and technological cooperation.