According to Mehr’s reporter, promoting science and expanding the relationship between the university and society is one of the main missions of universities in the world. Today, universities are not only centers for the production of knowledge and research, but also play an important role in the transfer of this knowledge and the expansion of scientific thinking in society.
Without strong scientific communication, the gap between society and scientific research deepens and the risk of spreading false information and pseudo-science increases. The promotion of science will also lead to a general increase in science, and this will help universities regain their position as influential centers of society.
In the major universities of the world, there are centers where students, professors and researchers are trained to express their scientific findings to the public in effective and attractive ways and help them to use various communication tools such as social media, podcasts, lectures and attractive presentations. Use to communicate with people.
Today in Iranian universities, the issue of “communicating with the society” is not as prominent as it should be, but some faculty members and students are not aware of it and based on their individual duties, in different ways, including communication with the media, producing scientific content in the form of podcasts and Image content in social networks seeks to connect with people and transfer scientific concepts to society; But these activities are not taken into consideration by the higher institutions and policymakers.
On the other hand, in the Ministry of Science, there is an office called the Office of Communication with Society and Industry, which operates under the Research Deputy of the Ministry of Science. One of the tasks of this general administration is to expand the connection of universities with society and industry. This collection always publishes the report on the performance of communication with the industry in regular time intervals, but it seems that it pays less attention to the communication section of the university with the society, and this issue has been neglected to some extent.
Accordingly, with Dr. Peyman Salehi; We discussed with the research assistant of the Ministry of Science about the program of this collection to increase the connection between the university and the society, especially in the field of science promotion.
The need to seriously pursue the issue of science promotion by radio and television
Dr. Peyman Salehi, in a conversation with Mehr reporter, said about the role of universities in relation to the society and increasing the activity of academics in the field of science promotion: Despite the fact that we have had many joint meetings with radio and television, Radio is an academic media All levels of society, from children who have not yet started school to the elderly, are somehow connected with it. In my opinion, in addition to social networks, which are of great interest today, and we have also been active in this field, promotional issues require more serious follow-up in radio and television. For example, introducing scientists to society is one of these cases.
He continued: In various fields, people such as athletes and artists are known as celebrities and people are interested in having a relationship with them or taking a souvenir photo, but we have great and outstanding scientists in the country who, under limited conditions and with available facilities, under the name The Islamic Republic of Iran is active and gaining international honors. It is necessary for the society to know these people. Of course, even in foreign countries, people usually only know people who have received big prizes like the Nobel. Therefore, it is characteristic of this field that artists and sportsmen are better known than scientists.
The research deputy of the Ministry of Science said about the actions taken regarding the promotion of science: In the field of promotion issues, we have held various meetings such as the indexing of scientific publications, but either these actions were not enough or they were not well seen. In my opinion, the best way to promote science is to follow scientific topics seriously and continuously on radio and television. We have suggested this issue to Radio and Television many times, and of course we should have done more follow-up. I request that Sedavsima cooperate more in this direction.
The role of scientific associations in relation to people
Referring to the role of scientific associations in the issue of science promotion, he said: Currently, we have about 390 scientific associations. These scientific associations can work in the field of science promotion. For example, if the scientific mathematical association tries to introduce Iranian mathematicians to different groups, from elementary and high school to universities, or explain the science of mathematics in a simple and understandable language for the public, it will have a great impact.
Salehi said: Some of these topics introduce us to the wonders of God’s creation. Every time I attend astrology sessions, I am amazed at what God has done in the creation of this world. We are as small as a dot in the galaxy, and these are the lessons of creation; The leaves of green trees, in the eyes of the alert, each leaf is a book of knowledge.
He explained about the role of scientific associations: these associations, as non-governmental organizations that operate in specialized fields, are responsible for the promotion of science according to their statutes. Activities such as publishing books, creating consensus and synergy in the country, and holding specialized meetings are among the duties of associations; But they must pay more attention to the issue of promoting science.
The role of academic research in solving social problems
While confirming the point that more efforts should be made in the field of science promotion, the Deputy Minister of Science said: One of the results of science promotion activities can be strengthening the university’s relationship with society and industry. Of course, we must note that when we talk about the relationship between the university and the society and industry, we do not mean only the projects related to the industry; About 11,600 research projects that are currently in progress also include communication with society.
In this context, he explained: One of the aspects of the relationship between the university and society is solving social problems. Many projects related to the society and industry of the universities, in the field of humanities and social sciences, solve the problems of the society and social problems. As the honorable president emphasized during the induction ceremony of the Minister of Science and also during his visit to the Ministry of Science, the university is expected to solve the country’s problems and the universities are ready for this.
Salehi pointed out: Therefore, it is true that the word “industry” is more prominent in the plans related to the connection between university and industry, but this does not mean ignoring the society. Many of these projects are carried out in the field of humanities and social sciences and related to society’s issues, but these activities need to be expanded more.
Will promotion activities be included in the promotion bylaws?
The research assistant of the Ministry of Science in response to the question of whether it is possible to make the promotion activities of faculty members more colorful in the promotion bylaws? He said: Certainly, the promotional activities of faculty members are a very valuable capacity. Of course, I don’t intend to dare to say that every action by faculty members needs encouragement, because many professors consider the promotion of science as part of their social responsibility. We see that faculty members participate in national and international conferences and meetings in many cases without considering the financial benefits and despite the difficulties of travel.
He added: Nevertheless, we, as the officials of this field, are obliged to formulate policies for the promotion of science that will help encourage these activities. For example; In the past, the publication of promotional articles had a special privilege in the by-laws for the promotion of faculty members. Also, in the framework of the regulations related to “special credit or grant”, it is stipulated that the faculty members create a personal page on the university website to receive this privilege, because this helps to increase their references and better introduce their activities.
Salehi stated: It is emphasized in some university regulations that faculty members must participate in scientific conferences and meetings at different levels. The faculty that does not attend such meetings has not played its part in promoting science. Therefore, it is very important to pay attention to this issue and your statement in this regard is absolutely correct.
The Deputy Minister of Science emphasized: In general, we should strengthen the role of faculty members in promoting science and communication with society by using these capacities and formulating appropriate policies.
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