Iran aims to advance national laboratories by consolidating resources

Iranian Vice President for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, Hussein Afshin, has emphasized the need to modernize Iran’s research infrastructure through the establishment and upgrade of national laboratories. 

Speaking during a visit to the National Brain Mapping Laboratory on Tuesday, Afshin highlighted the strategic shift from fragmented support for smaller centers to targeted investment in larger, critical facilities over the past six months, the vice presidency’s Communications and Information Center reported.

Accompanied by Mohammadreza Zafarghandi, Minister of Health; Hossein Simayi Sarraf, Minister of Science; and Kamal Kharazi, the Leader’s senior advisor, Afshin discussed the significance of cutting-edge equipment for research in behavioral, cognitive, and neuroscience fields. 

He underscored the importance of focusing investments on national laboratories to ensure their compatibility with international standards. 

Afshin also called for collaboration across government ministries to fund research initiatives and procure modern technologies. 

Simayi Sarraf, noted the transformative potential of cognitive science research on ethical and theological perspectives. 

He stated that advancements in understanding the human mind could reshape moral philosophy and deepen spiritual insights. 

Meanwhile, Zafarghandi, expressed the Health Ministry’s commitment to advancing clinical and scientific research in neuroscience, emphasizing the role of governmental and scientific cooperation in achieving technological breakthroughs in this field.