Acknowledgement SCIENCE AND Given its mission in the field of international cooperation in science and technology and with the aim TECHNOLOGY of introducing some of the country’s technological capabilities and S & T diplomacy development, the IRAN Center for International S & T Cooperation (CISTC) has prepared the present book on Feb. 2019. It IN IRAN: contains several sections including history and background, policies and strategies, capacities and capabilities (human resources, scientific productivity, products and achievements), and authorities in A BRIEF REVIEW 2019 different technology areas. The present book is an updated version of "Science and Technology in Iran: A Brief Review" which has already been prepared on Aug. 2017. Compiled by: Iranian Technology and Innovation Development Institute Published by: Didar Parsian Publications Other contributors: • Deputy for Policy-making and Development of the Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology • Center for Progress and Development of Iran • Iran Nanotechnology Innovation Council • Biotechnology Development Council • Council for Stem Cell Sciences and Technologies • Cognitive Sciences and Technologies Council • National Council for Science & Technology Development of Medicinal & Aromatic Plants and Traditional Medicine • Digital Economy and Smart Technology Development Council • Technology Development Council of Water, Drought, Erosion & Environment • Soft Technology Development Council • Technology Development Council for Space and Advanced Transportation • Energy Technology Development Council • Pardis Technology Park • Knowledge-Based Firms Contents Iran at a Glance Cultural and Creative Industries Iran, Cradle of Civilization 8 I. History and Background 112 National Policy Documents on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) 10 II. Objectives and Strategies 112 Main National Policies on STI 11 III. Capacities and Capabilities 113 Comprehensive Document of International Scientific Relations of IRI 12 IV. Authorities 114 National Policy for a Resilient Economy 13 V. International Cooperation 117 Science and Technology Statistics 16 Science and Technology Key Players 21 Aerospace I. History and Background 120 Nanotechnology II. Objectives and Strategies 120 I. History and Background 32 III. Capacities and Capabilities 122 II. Policies and Strategies 32 IV. Authorities 126 III. Capacities and Capabilities 33 V. International Cooperation 127 IV. Authorities 39 V. International Cooperation 43 Aviation Technology I. History and Background 130 Biotechnology II. Strategies and Objectives 130 I. History and Background 46 III. Capacities and Capabilities 132 II. Policies and Strategies 46 IV. Authorities 135 III. Capacities and Capabilities 47 V. International Cooperation 137 IV. Authorities 57 Marine Industries Stem Cell Technology I. History and Background 140 I. History and Background 64 II. Strategies and Objectives 141 II. Policies and Objectives 64 III. Capacities and Capabilities 143 III. Capacities and Capabilities 65 IV. Authorities 148 IV. Authorities 73 V. International Cooperation 151 V. International Cooperation 73 Water, Drought, Erosion Cognitive Sciences and Environment Technologies I. History and Background 76 I. History and Background 154 II. Objectives and Strategies 77 II. Policies and Objectives 154 III. Capacities and Capabilities 78 III. Capacities and Capabilities 156 IV. Authorities 82 IV. Authorities 160 V. International Cooperation 82 V. International Cooperation 161 Medicinal Plants and Traditional Medicine Conventional Energies (Oil & Gas) I. History and Background 86 I. History and Background 164 II. Policies and Objectives 86 II. Macro Level Objectives 164 III. Capacities and Capabilities 87 III. Capacities and Capabilities 164 IV. Authorities 93 IV. Authorities 168 V. International Cooperation 93 Information and Communication Technology Renewable Energy I. History and Background 174 I. History and Background 96 II. Policies and Strategies 174 II. Policies and Strategies 96 III. Capacities and Capabilities 174 III. Capacities and Capabilities 97 IV. Authorities 180 IV. Authorities 105 V. International Cooperation 180 6 Biotechnology 7 Iran 1 at a Glance Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (973-1050 C.E.) is one of the major figures of Islamic Mathematics. He contributed to Astronomy, Mathematics, Physics, Medicine and History. 8 Iran at a Glance 9 Iran at a Glance Iran, Cradle of Civilization Science, Technology and Innovation in Iran at a glance The Islamic Republic of Iran enjoys a rich and lavish history and boasts one of the world’s oldest Enrolment in and Graduation from Tertiary Knowledge-Based Firms th civilizations. Iran is located in southwest Asia, in the Middle East and is the 18 largest country Education in Iran by area in the world, spanning from as far north as Armenia or Turkmenistan to as far south as 2005-2006 2015-2016 the Persian Gulf. The country’s size and position have historically made it a strategic bridge 52 4068 for east-west and north-south trade routes which indicates its potential to be a regional hub for Students 2,389,867 4,348,383 2014 Feb. 2019 commerce and an attractive tourist destination. Graduates 340,246 859,697 The Number of supported KBFs has increased from 52 PhD Students 19,237 193,206 in March 2014 to 4068 in Feb. 2019. They account Iran is one of the rare countries in the world which enjoys four distinctive seasons. In the north, for around 136,000 jobs and $9.5 billion in revenue. the evergreen forests draw a parallel line to the beautiful serene waters of the Caspian Sea Scientific Publications The Number of S&T parks in Iran which makes the country’s climate most pleasant. In the south, Iran borders the Persian Gulf with 1 43 gorgeous and appealing palm trees and a hot and humid climate. To the east of Iran, one can 2005 2011 2015 2017 2002 2017 find hot desserts with running sand and starry nights. On west, this vast land is endowed with The Number of Incubators in Iran Iran’s share in Scientific 136 192 mountains high in the sky catching the eye of every visitor. Publications in the 14.8% 32.4% 28.6% 30.8% 2013 2017 Iran has an abundance of various tourist attractions, from the ski slopes within a short car ride of Middle East Companies Located in S&T Parks and Incubators Rank in the Middle East 3 1 1 1 Tehran to the 2,500-year-old ruins of the Achaemenid Empire at Persepolis and the harmonious 2012 2518 Iran’s share in Scientific 0.4% gardens of the Bagh-e-Eram Palace in Shiraz, just to name a few. Iran is home to 19 UNESCO Publications in the World 1.5% 1.5% 1.85% 2013 3000 World Heritage sites -more than Greece- plus a rugged coastline on the Caspian Sea that makes 2014 3400 Rank in the world 34 17 16 16 2015 3650 it one of the best countries for hiking, 20 mountain resorts for winter sports, beaches on the 2016 4475 Persian Gulf, and the holy shrine (Imam Reza) in Mashhad. Gender Balance in Higher Education Innovation and Prosperity Fund (as of Dec. 2017) Iran’s economy in 2017, with GDP of nearly $439.5 billion, was the second largest economy in 2015-2016 the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. It also has the second largest population of the High level of gender equality 2117 $395 million region with an estimated 80.277 million people in 2016. Persian is the official language and Islam in both secondary and tertiary Approved projects Total support education compared to other is the official religion of the country. 46.1% 53.9% countries in the Middle East Technology-Based Exports ($ billions) The country has a wealth of natural resources, including the first and fourth natural gas reserves High- and Medium High-Tech exports and oil reserves, respectively, with the least economic dependence on oil incomes among The Number of Universities in Iran 1.5 7 12.1 oil-rich countries in the MENA. Iran is well-positioned to exercise a significant influence in basic 2004 2009 2014 materials sectors; especially cement, stone, and steel. The country is already the top cement Public Universities 149 Knowledge-Based Products Exported by S&T exporter in the world and the largest cement producer in the Middle East. Iran is a net exporter Parks and Incubators ($ millions) of electricity to its neighbors and has an ample mineral wealth, including large cooper, lead, Public Medical Universities 57 2012 0.7 and zinc reserves. Iran’s pistachios, saffron and of course caviar have brought great fame for its 2013 14.1 Islamic Azad University 567 2014 50.5 agriculture. It also produces a wide range of crops and is among the top five producers of eggplant, 2015 214.6 onions, and a range of fruits including quince, figs, and watermelons. Private Universities 329 2016 231.4 10 Iran at a Glance 11 National Policy Documents on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) Main National Policies on STI The governance model for the innovation system is inspired by the policy documents. These include the 2005 document, Vision 2025, drafted by the Expanding Discernment Council of • Local content and technology transfer policies the System (EDCS), the 2011 NMPSE (National Master Plan for Science and Education; also “The Maximum Utilization of Local Capabilities” law (MULC) and the “Technology Annex” commonly called the Comprehensive Scientific Road Map), and other important policy are two policy measures aimed at increasing local content in Iran. The former was originally documents listed in table 1. Together, these serve to guide the national STI policy agenda, with enacted in 1996 and revised in 2012. The latter, which was approved in September 2016 stipulated objectives, milestones and processes for implementation. Here, some of the overall after nearly two years of discussion, parallels efforts to aid the development of knowledge- policies on science and technology advised by the Supreme Leader and the National Policy for based products. It applies to those international contracts (including, inter alia, inward foreign a Resilient Economy are presented, respectively. investment and technology licensing) to which the Government is a party or for which the Government is providing support for building domestic firm-level STI capabilities.