Sustainable
Development in the
Moslem World needs
Excellence in S&T:
Iran a case Study
Reza Mansouri
Sharif University of Technology
Tehran, Iran
National Academy of Sciences, Washington, 13th September, 2006
Moslem World
•
•
•
•
•
Population: %20
GDP < that of France
Literacy < %50
Scientific output: < %3
Scientific output of most active Moslem countries/ USA
(same population) ~ %10
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
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Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
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Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
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Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
5
Population Pyramid 2005/1384
Women
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
Men
6
Iran’s Population, 2025
1405 ‫پ يش ب يني ج م عيت ايران ت ا سال‬
‫پايان‬
)‫تعداد (ميليون نفر‬
150
100
50
0
1355
‫فرض ح داقل‬
1365
1375
‫فرض متو سط‬
‫سال‬
1385
1395
1405
‫فرض ح داکثر‬
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
7
Iran’s scientific contribution
6000
5000
4000
3000
2000
0
1970
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
86
87
88
99
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
1000
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
8
Estimation of Iran’s Scientific Output up to 2010
25000
19456
20000
‫مرکز تحقيقات سياست علمی کشور‬
11512
NRISP
15000
8855
10000
5000
14966
3100
3100
4030
3720
5239
11110
6811
9258
7715
4464
5357
6429
0
2003
2004
2005
2006
20%
2007
2008
2009
2010
30%
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
9
International publications: Egypt, Iran, Turkey
(ISI, evaluated by NRISP)
14000
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
2000
0
1985
1990
1995
Iran
2000
2001
Turkey
2002
2003
2004
Egypt
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
10
Average IF of Iran’s Scientific Output
2.5
2
‫مرکز تحقيقات سياست علمی کشور‬
NRISP
1.5
1
0.5
Sc
i&
E
du
ys
Ph
M
ed
h
M
at
er
M
at
G
eo
g
En
pu
om
C
he
m
C
Bi
o
t
Am
bi
en
Ag
ro
0
Iran 2002
Iran 2003
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
World
11
Iran’s International Scientific Collaboration 2002
140
117
120
100
89
83
‫مرکز تحقيقات سياست علمی کشور‬
NRISP
80
60
49
30
40
27
22 21
17
20
12 11
10
9
7
6
6
5
5
5
In
di
Ne
a
th
er
lan
d
Sc
ot
lan
d
Ta
iw
an
Ru
ss
ia
M
al
a
Sw ysia
itz
er
la
n
Sw d
ed
en
Be
lgi
So
um
ut
h
Af
r ic
a
Sp
ain
an
Ja
p
ce
y
Fr
an
m
an
ly
Ita
Ge
r
US
A
En
gla
nd
Ca
na
d
Au a
str
al
ia
0
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
12
Number of countries having scientific
collaboration with Iran
(ISI; evaluated by NRISP)
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
54
47
31
29
2000
2001
2002
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
2003
13
Number of new companies in techno-parks
and/or incubators
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
0
2002
2003
Nov.2004
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
Mar.2005
14
Number of Patents per 100 ISI Papers :
Iran & World Average
20
19
19
18
18
17
16
16
14
16
15
15
15
15
14
14
World
15
14
14
12
14
14
14
13
12
18
‫مرکز تحقيقات سياست علمی کشور‬
NRISP
10
8
6
4
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
2001
2000
99
98
0.00 0.17 0.00 0.10 0.000.15
97
0.45
96
0.42
0.56
95
0.37
94
92
91
90
89
88
87
86
85
82
1981
0.71 1.38 0.97
0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00
84
0.00
0
0.81
0.77
93
0.79
83
2
Iran
15
Books (separate titles) published in Iran
35000
30000
25000
‫مرکز تحقيقات سياست علمی کشور‬
NRISP
20000
15000
10000
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
2002
2000
2001
98
99
96
97
95
93
94
91
92
89
90
88
86
87
84
85
82
83
81
79
80
0
1978
5000
16
Book titles published: a
comparative diagram
140000
120000
100000
80000
60000
40000
20000
0
Iran 2002
USA 2002
Canada 2002
Turkey 1998
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
Malaysia1998
India 2002
17
www.cbc.ir
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
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Encyclopedia for Young People
(EYP)
EYP is a general work, containing articles on
topics in many different fields with
authoritative and precise facts and data
presented in simple language accompanied
by illustrations, maps, charts and tables for
young people of 10 to 16 years of age. What
is most important is the Iranian aspect of this
monumental effort.
www.cbc.ir
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
19
Vision, Iran 1404/2025
Being the first rank in economy, science, and
technology in the region, keeping pace with the
increasingly progressive growth of science...
Proclamation of the Vision, Iran 1404/2025
Moslem Science, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th, 2006
20
Vision, Iran 1404/2025
Expanded collaborative relations, in all aspects,
with friendly countries, the Islamic world, and
countries
of
the
region;
joining
international
collaborations towards the world peace.
Proclamation of the Vision, Iran 1404/2025
Moslem Science, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th, 2006
21
Vision, Iran 1404/2025
Having diversified knowledge based economy,
human resources, and advanced technology.
Proclamation of the Vision, Iran 1404/2025
Moslem Science, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th, 2006
22
Declaration 2001
Proclamation of Scientific Development of Islamic
Republic of Iran

Humanities, social sciences, and arts play an important and
undeniable role in the social, economic, cultural and
political development of the country. Every effort should be
made to compensate the weaknesses in these areas in our
country.
Moslem Science, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th, 2006
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ِِ ِ


Declaration 2001
Promotion of logical, scientific, and analytical thinking
and dissemination of culture of dialog in the society are
essential to cultural development and the realization of
democracy. Thus propagation of science is considered
essential for the general culture of the society and for the
growth of rationality at all social levels.
Precise and unambiguous definitions for terms and
concepts related to science and technology, their
different manifestations, pertaining to new national and
international situations, must be introduced to make a
rational planning and its proper execution in science,
research, and technology possible.
Moslem Science, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th, 2006
24
Declaration 2001


We have had a considerable quantitative growth in our
higher education during the recent two decades after the
Islamic revolution. We are determined to start a new
period with emphasis on excellence in all the aspects of
science and research.
We believe that scientific and technological development
play an important role in the dissemination of peace and
dialogue in the world. Hence, we presume that
universities and research centers are of prime importance
in bringing about international understandings.
Moslem Science, National Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th, 2006
25
But Why
 is there no university from the Moslem
world within the top 500 universities of the
world?
 is the science production in the Moslem
world, except in Iran and Turkey, almost
stagnating?
 none of the countries in the Moslem world,
despite many attempts and legislative
actions, could increase its R&D
expenditures above 0.7% of its GDP?
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
26
Why
 are the human development indices in
the Moslem world catastrophically
low?
 is fundamentalism taking root in the
poor as well as the rich Moslem
countries?
 are we facing a clash in the ME after
thousands of years of coexistence?
 and why does the Moslem world seem so
different from the rest of the world?
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
27
Modernity and the Science
concept
 The concepts of S&T are social
constructs on which modernity is based;
 Modern rationality and the social and
cultural values related to it are based
heavily on the modern concept of
science;
 The modern concept of time, so crucial in
modern life, is directly connected to the
concept of dynamics in the natural
sciences.
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
28
Science concept in the
Moslem world
 science is subordinate to theology;
 as a result, rationality in the Moslem world
is not based on science, but on religion;
 the cultural and social values of the society
are almost completely determined by
religion.
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
29
Discontinued Tradition
Pre-Islamic Era
Jondishapour Medical
School/4th Century
Hospital
Observatory
House of
Translation
Library
Jaame
Mosque
Nezamieh
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
Symbolism- AntiRationalistic
trends:15th&16th
Madraseh
Rationalism:10th-14th
Islamic Era
30
Ignorance: 16th – 19th
Modern Era-Qajar Dynasty
13th/19th Century
School of
Medicine
School of
Law
School of
Agriculture
Seminary
Surprise:
1811- 1925
Polytechnic
of Tehran
Self realization:
1925- 1979
Modern Era-Pahlavi
Islamic Revolution Era
Shiraz Uni.
Tehran Uni.
Awareness:
1979-
Sharif
University of
Technology.
TM University
KNT Uni.
Islamic Azad Uni.
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
Center for graduate
Studies in Basic
Sciences-Zanjan
31
Symbolism; Anti-rationalistic
trends: 15th & 16th
Ghazali & Nezam-ol-molk:
Philosophy reduced to ethics;
Science only deemed useful as it served a
rigid theology;
Beginning of an era where science was
reduced to theology.
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
32
Ignorance: 16th – 19th
 “..we have, therefore, proved there is no need
to teach philosophy except what the “ulama”
have decided to include in their sciences.
Therefore, the Sheikh-ol-islam has to be careful
not to allow anyone to be taught …”
Solouk-ol-molouk,
Fazl-ol-lah Rouzbehaan,
Contemporary to Galileo
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
33
Surprise: 1811 - 1925
…a large and right building has been
constructed in Tehran’s Arg square for
the education of all techniques and is
named Dar-ol-fonoun and it is the
intention of his imperial majesty that the
children of his government learn some
sciences not prevalent in our country…
Vaghaye-e Ettefaaghiyeh, 1268/1852
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
34
Self-realization: 1925 1979
…you are requested to study the number
of teachers and the kind of facilities
needed for the establishment of a Dar-olfonoun offering medical pedagogy and
road building engineering (paved roads
and railways) in Tehran and also to find
out about the approximate costs...
Teimour Taash, Reza Shah’s minister of court, to Issa Sadigh at
Coloumbia university, 1932
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
35
Research?
During the establishment of the colleges of
literature and sciences I recognized that the
objective was not merely to train a number of
students in a subject, but research should also
be one of the aims of a university. To achieve
this goal, first of all, lectures taught by
professors are to be limited to their specific
fields. Therefore, a professor of geography can
not be assigned to instruct history… and
professors should translate important
resources they had used for their lectures…
Isa Sadigh, Memoires, 1969
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
36
Awareness: 1979 Different policy papers;
 Four five years economic development
plans: sections for S&T;
 Huge increase in almost any
scientometric parameter.
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
37
Concepts of Science
 1. Theology as science;
 2. Pre-Galilean natural philosophy as
science;
 3. Contents of text-books as science;
 4. Modern concept of science as a
process of creation of knowledge
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
38
Most prevalent concept of
Science
Science of religion is the
basis, added to it some
knowledge (not science,
just data): obsolete
concept of science
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
39
 We are facing many challenges in the
Moslem world given the different
consequences of the obsolete concept of
science.
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
40
Crucial Emphasis
 Reform yes, but the emphasis
should be on implementing
modern concepts of S&T
towards establishing a scientific
community and a science based
economy;
 This can only be achieved
through excellence in S&T;
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
41

Thank You
Moslem Science, National
Academy of Sciences,
Washington, September 13th,
42