Right path toward development

To do this, they should adopt an independent approach towards development as none of the old imperialistic countries and super powers accept to provide them with help unless their own interests are secured.

This has made the weaker nations to get involved in the super power’s wars with no real interest; First and Second World Wars at the beginning of the 20th century are good examples depicting an actual situation the innocent people in the poor countries got trapped amidst the two destructive wars.

Considering the facts and experiences, after the Second World War some elites inside the so-called Third World countries, decided to change the situation in order to make themselves much more independent comparing to the past.

In other words, weaker countries decided to choose the path towards becoming powerful and achieve scientific and technical development. Of course, each nation embarks on the way based on its own culture, religion, capacity and intelligence.

This was also true about Iran and the Iranian people. Iranians chose a different way on the path toward progress: the Islamic Revolution in 1979; a path which at first seemed to be strange and unknown to the rest of the world, but surprisingly, it worked.
Tehran University was founded more than 80 years ago. As the first Iranian university, the University of Tehran, started work with limited number of departments, including medical and engineering departments.

But now, eight decades on, the number of universities in Iran has risen significantly, despite the fact that they have had to address a lingering problem inherited mainly from the Pahlavi regime in general, a problem faced by other sectors of the society as well: the Iranian universities were not independent. The Islamic Revolution, however, changed the game completely. Yet, true development started years after the revolution.

Today, according to the most recent figures and authenticated information, Iranian universities have flourished, in both quantity and quality comparing to the early years of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, especially during the past 20 years.

Presently, Iran boasts more than 2500 accredited universities spreading countrywide, that is, universities which their certificates and degrees are acceptable in all known and high-level academic centers of the world.

Too, the Iranian universities have had significant progress based on the accredited worldwide ranking systems over the past 10 years.

Furthermore, a major part of the development achieved in various scientific and technical areas during past two decades, have surprised the world particularly some of the big powers that do not seem to be so happy about the path of independence chosen by the Iranians after the Islamic Revolution.

Achievements made by Iran in developing its military industries, especially the missile technology, nuclear and enrichment sciences, medical sciences and pharmaceutical production present just some parts of the capacities possessed by the Iranian people.

But the question is what is behind the developments in recent years.

Analysts maintain that despite imposition of sanctions which has been mainly the result of West's opposition against Iran, the country has revealed to be much more powerful during the past 15. Sanctions have simply forced Iran to try to achieve independence and self-sufficiency in the most critical areas such as military and food productions.

In fact, imposition of sanctions has made Iranian experts and scientists to move forward and answer necessary demands of the society.

In the meantime, all other sectors in the whole system of society have adapted themselves to synchronize with the universities and research centers, accordingly. In other words, the country's industrial sector has also tried hard to produce what the country needs in accordance with the research works conducted by the universities. But the main question, regarding this condition, is if these crises would push Iran going forward forever.

There are economic realities that should be taken into consideration. Shortages in short term may provide impetus for a society to move on and try to address its issues, as they could serve as significant driving force that would lead to some progress. But in long run shortages will hinder sustainable scientific and technological developments.

On the other hand, modern global capitalism prescribes privatization of all sectors and reducing governments' role in running the economy. In such s system industries tend to finance and force the universities to advance within the frameworks set by the industries based on their interests and competitiveness.

This fact illuminates the true path of a durable, academic, scientific and technical development via a market-based economy in the future.

Finally, it has to be emphasized that Iranian academic centers will follow the path of independence, the path initiated and stabilized by the Islamic Revolution in the country. However, this shiny path cannot lead the nation towards achieving its goals unless it develops a true market-based economy; a system which could ultimately be adapted within Iranian political system based on revolution values and merits.

*Reza Sharifi is an Iranian journalist.

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