Tehran hosts Iran-Italy science and technology forum

Tehran - The capital of Iran will host the first edition of the Iran-Italy Science, Technology and Innovation Forum on April 19-20. "The event seeks to offer new opportunities for universities, research centres and enterprises with a strong innovation impact, aiming to organise exchanges between Italy and Iran throughout the year," said Vahid Ahmadi, the Iranian Minister of Science, Research and Technology.

The ministry sponsors the event in Iran, while in Italy the programme is supported by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). The Forum is planning to organise a yearly 'matchmaking' event, alternating between one year in Italy and another year in Iran, and supported by information, animation and partnership creation sessions. Participation in the event is free and open to all enterprises, as well as public and private stakeholders, as long as they register.

Still, speculation remains about the scientific level of a nation that bears a Persian legacy and whether such a forum might be productive for Italy in 2017. As to the two-day event, it will include a session for institutions with scenario conferences, thematic seminars, one-to-one meetings, and visits to innovative enterprises, incubators and science and technology parks, customised for Italian participants and/or accessed with an invitation sent by Iranian bodies and firms. The event will focus on sectors such as: aerospace, agrifood, life sciences, biotechnology and biomedicine, green chemistry, smart factories, mobility and transports, living environment technologies and renewable energies, technologies applied to fossil fuel energy, earth science and geophysics, marine economy, archaeology and technologies for cultural properties, design and creative industries.