Iranian experts return from abroad to drive natl. tech development

At the INOTEX 2025 exhibition, the “Connect Stage” hosted a special session titled “Return of Experts and Entrepreneurs: Human Capital Reclaimed for Technological Development”, spotlighting the stories of three accomplished Iranian professionals who returned to Iran after years abroad.

Ali Hosseini, Director of the Connect Platform at the Organization for the Development of International Scientific Cooperation, emphasized the goal of the session: to showcase real stories of why Iranians migrated—and what brought them back. “We’re building professional, stable environments to encourage their return. Even if talents leave, there should be a path to come back and make an impact.”

Atefeh Alipour, a biotech PhD from Osaka University, returned to Iran in 2016 after a decade in Japan and now works at a vaccine and pharmaceutical startup. “Real impact mattered most to me,” she said.

Mohammad Shokoohi-Yekta, a Stanford graduate and former engineer at Apple and Microsoft, cited Iran’s military exemption program as his incentive to return. He now advises major AI firms and runs a startup.

Abdolhossein Vaezi, who studied at MIT and Stanford, returned in 2014 and joined Sharif University of Technology. He emphasized the Connect platform’s role in rebuilding his academic network.

The session concluded with audience dialogue about the challenges of reintegrating and retaining high-skilled returnees—framing their comeback not just as personal, but as a national strategy.