TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said his administration seeks strong relations with the academic society since it would not be possible to settle the country’s problems without getting advantage of academics’ views.

“Our universities, professors, faculty members and students are at the forefront of progress and serving the country and society,” President Rouhani said in a gathering of university professors and physicians, held in Tehran on Tuesday evening.

Voicing the administration’s determination to strengthen ties with all universities and professors, the president said it would be impossible to resolve economic woes and gain success in the political arena without regard for the views of university professors.

He also underlined that revolutionary and caring professors can better deal with universities’ problems and contribute to scientific and technological progress.

His comments came a few days after Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei stressed the need for political activities in Iranian universities, but cautioned that such spirit of dynamism should not alienate students from the Revolution’s values.

“Universities and the students should always remain revolutionary,” Imam Khamenei said on June 18, adding that if a favorable prospect for progress in the next 20 years would entail a “mighty, dignified, independent, pious, and wealthy Iran that enjoys justice and a popular government,” universities do need to gain those qualities first.

The Leader also described Iranian university professors and students as “commanders and officers in a soft war”, cautioning that the extent of the enemy’s soft war against Iran has become much broader than the previous years.

By Tasnim News Agency