Iranian University Student Crowned ‘Future Climate Leader’: A Rising Star in Environmental Advocacy
In a remarkable achievement for the academic community, Mohammad-Reza Baradaran Motie, a PhD student in architecture, has been honored with the prestigious ‘Future Climate Leader’ award during the Oman Climate Week, which took place from February 24 to 27. This event aims to tackle the pressing need for sustainable environmental solutions and engage in global dialogues regarding climate change mitigation strategies.
Oman Climate Week serves as a vital platform where distinguished leaders, policymakers, and innovators converge to share insights, foster collaboration, and showcase advancements in combating climate change. With participation from over 250 expert speakers across 60 countries, the week-long activities included:
- Dialogue sessions focused on climate action
- Workshops aimed at sustainability
- Training programs designed to implement climate solutions
This initiative not only encourages youth worldwide to propose innovative solutions for climate-related challenges but also promotes awareness and advancements in fields such as renewable energy, emission reduction, and effective resource management. The award recognizes excellence in various categories including:
- Clean Technology
- Sustainable Agriculture
- Smart City Innovations
Winners of this esteemed award receive financial incentives and opportunities to collaborate with global sustainability partners, paving the way for practical implementations of their projects.
In addition to Baradaran Motie’s recognition, there have been notable achievements from Iranian students in various international competitions. For instance, Hosna Salimi, a student from the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran, was recently awarded the ‘Young Researcher of the Year’ at the BRICS and Shanghai Cooperation Organization Young Leaders Award 2025, held from January 24 to 26 in Kazan, Russia.
This prestigious event saw participation from over 400 competitors representing 13 countries, including:
- Iran
- India
- China
- UAE
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Pakistan
- Uzbekistan
- South Africa
- Brazil
- Ethiopia
- Tajikistan
- Russia
The jury selected ten winners across five categories, including:
- Media Influencer of the Year
- Social Entrepreneur of the Year
- Public Diplomacy Project of the Year
- Researcher of the Year
- Eco-Initiative of the Year
Candidates nominated for the “Young Researcher of the Year” category were recognized for their scientific contributions in diverse fields such as:
- History
- Education
- Art
- Information Technology (IT)
- Law
- Philosophy
- Finance
Moreover, Iranian students have demonstrated exceptional talent in robotics and science competitions. In November 2024, a team from the Iran University of Science and Technology clinched the first place at the Eurasia Federation of International RoboSports Association (FIRA) Open Competition 2024, held in Van, Turkey, from November 6 to 9. The competition attracted 130 teams from eight countries, showcasing the innovative designs of Iranian students, including:
- Alireza Abbasi
- Mobina Lashgari
- Alireza Mikaeili
- Shayan Ansarian
The Iranian team stood out for their groundbreaking design of ‘infrasight drones’, illustrating the nation’s commitment to innovation and technology. In addition, Iran achieved remarkable success at the International Science and Invention Fair (ISIF) 2024, held in Indonesia from November 5 to 10, winning:
- Five gold medals
- Two special awards
This international event featured participation from 1,980 teams across 24 countries, competing in various fields such as:
- Technical Engineering
- Chemistry and Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology and Environment
- Energy Engineering
- Physics and Astronomy
- Artificial Intelligence and Technology
- Social Sciences
- Education and Educational Technologies
In a further testament to Iranian talent, 18 students represented the country at the 47th WorldSkills Competition, held from September 10 to 15, 2024, in Lyon, France. This prestigious event brought together approximately 1,500 competitors from over 65 countries, showcasing a wide range of skills. Among the Iranian participants:
- Hasan Mohammadi
- Hamid-Reza Hamidi
These students earned a silver medal and several medallions for excellence, demonstrating the high caliber of education and training in Iran.
Additionally, Iran secured a gold medal, two silver medals, and a bronze medal at the 36th International Olympiad in Informatics (IOI), achieving a commendable ninth place among 96 participating countries. The Iranian students showcased their skills online and were recognized for their outstanding performance.
These achievements highlight the remarkable potential of Iranian students in various fields and their commitment to addressing global challenges through innovation and research.
