Baku, Azerbaijan, Oct. 29
By Umid Niayesh - Trend:
Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said that the universities need a peaceful atmosphere to be able to promote themselves as centers of science and research.
Rouhani made the remarks in a parliament open session on Oct. 29 while defending the qualifications of the proposed candidate for minister of Science, Research and Technology, Mahmoud Nili Ahmadabadi, the official IRNA news agency reported.
Iranian Parliament on Aug. 20 dismissed former minister of science, research and technology, Reza Faraji Dana.
On October 22, Rouhani introduced Nili Ahmadabadi to Parliament.
The Iranian president in his speech said that the ministry has a "specific importance," adding "we want universities to be aware of political issues but not borrow their slogans from politicians."
He remarked that over four million students are being educated in the universities and over 70,000 academic staff, as well as researchers are working in the science ministry.
Rouhani said that his government is not related to any certain political group, adding moderate figures from all groups are present in the cabinet. He asked the MPs to vote for Nili Ahmadabadi and thereby allow the universities to benefit, as soon as possible, from needed consistency and long-term planning.
Iranian president also touched the region's problems in his speech, saying entire region, from North Africa to the Middle East, suffers insecurity and instability.
"We are witnessing problems and insecurity in our eastern and western neighbors," Rouhani said, adding all Muslims as well as the region's people retain hope in Iran and its remaining a "united nation".
Interior Minister Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Intelligence Minister Seyyed Mahmoud Alavi, , Vice President for Parliamentary Affairs Majid Ansari, Minister of Culture Ali Jannati, Energy Minister Hamid Chitchian, Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade Mohammad Reza Nematzadeh, Minister of Health and Medical Education Hassan Qazizadeh Hashemi were also accompanying the president in the parliament session.