Masoud Pezeshkian, the President, mentioned the 10% reduction in energy consumption in the country during the scientific meeting "Review of the Transformation and Productivity Improvement Plan for State-Owned Companies" held on October 17, 2026. This meeting was attended by the Ministers of Economic Affairs and Finance, Cooperatives, Labor and Social Welfare, and Science, Research and Technology, along with a group of university professors.
Energy Consumption Management and Challenges
Pezeshkian emphasized the importance of collaboration and synergy between universities and government agencies at this meeting and stated that the proposals and solutions discussed could be effective in managing energy consumption. He also pointed out the existing challenges in energy governance and the management of imbalance in the fuel, electricity, and gas sectors, stressing that despite the complexities, effective measures have been taken.
The President, emphasizing the need for performance-based policy design, said: "Plans and executable ideas must be designed based on processes that lead to tangible results. To achieve these results, effective factors such as laws and regulations, human resource status, and existing challenges must be considered."
The Role of Universities in Enhancing Productivity
Pezeshkian also referred to the valuable scientific and specialized capacities of the country and stated that by developing inter-sectoral and cross-sectoral collaborations, these capacities can be utilized to advance the desired policies and strategies. He urged professors and academic elites to carefully examine the legal aspects of the issue to prevent tension and friction between regulatory and inspection sectors.
The President emphasized the importance of upgrading universities from the second generation to the third and fourth generations, adding: "Students should acquire practical skills alongside theoretical knowledge and be prepared to solve real societal issues by utilizing modern technologies."
He also stressed the necessity of university participation in implementing projects and providing specialized services, stating: "Universities can secure part of their costs by participating in project implementation and reduce their financial dependence on the government."
In conclusion, Pezeshkian pointed out the necessity of universities playing a role commensurate with their specialized missions and said: "Each university should participate in solving the country's issues based on its mission. By creating and strengthening connections between companies and universities, the government will provide the necessary grounds for synergy and joint activities."
