Tehran Welcomes Iran-China Dialogue: Empowering Women Through Scientific Collaboration
In a significant development for international scientific cooperation, female academicians from Iran and China gathered at Al-Zahra University in Tehran on Wednesday. Their discussions centered around enhancing collaboration among women in the fields of science and technology, emphasizing the potential contributions of female scholars from both nations.
The meeting was led by Zahra Nazem-Bokaee, the president of Al-Zahra University, who underscored the opportunities for joint scientific endeavors and the capabilities of women researchers in both countries. She expressed her belief that collaborative efforts could yield fruitful outcomes.
LI Ying, the vice president of China Women’s University, also shared her optimistic outlook, asserting that talented women from both nations have the potential to foster peace and drive societal development. The dialogue aimed to strengthen ties between Iranian and Chinese women in academia and beyond.
Khadijeh Joda, an advisor to the vice president for science and technology, proposed three key initiatives to enhance cooperation:
- Establishing Technology and Innovation Centers: Focused on women in Iran and China, these centers would specialize in clean technologies, digital energy, and digital health.
- Launching Joint Knowledge Programs: This initiative would promote scientific research cooperation among women technologists, involving joint research projects, site visits, and specialized training courses.
- Creating a Joint Development Fund: This fund would support women technologists from both countries in launching innovative projects and start-ups.
Iranian women are making significant strides in the technology sector, proving their capabilities in manufacturing high-tech products and contributing to a knowledge-based economy. Their achievements have garnered international attention, showcasing their skills and innovation across various global platforms.
Recent statistics reveal a remarkable increase in the representation of women in leadership roles within knowledge-based companies. The percentage of female CEOs and chairpersons of boards has noticeably risen over the past three years, indicating progress in gender equality within the technology sector. Specifically, the number of female managers has nearly doubled, growing from 1,092 in the Iranian calendar year 1400 (2021-2022) to 2,250 by the end of the first nine months of the current Iranian year, which began on March 20, 2024.
Despite these advancements, women still represent a minority in the research and scientific sectors, as well as in technological businesses. Ahmad Fazelzadeh, the head of the Islamic World Science Citation (ISC) Institute, noted that female scholars account for 665 out of 4,818 of the country’s most-cited researchers, making up over 13 percent of the total.
In the previous Iranian calendar year (March 2023 – March 2024), women comprised 12.75 percent of the most-cited researchers. The Ministry of Health led the way with the highest percentage of female researchers at 29.57%, according to IRNA’s report.
Moreover, 375 Iranian women have achieved recognition as highly-cited researchers, positioning them among the top two percent globally across various subjects, including:
- Clinical Medicine
- Biomedicine
- Chemistry
- Engineering
- Agriculture
- Fisheries and Forestry
- Strategic Technologies (including Artificial Intelligence and Nanotechnology)
- Information Technology and Communication
- Earth and Environmental Sciences
- Physics and Astronomy
- Public Health and Health Services
- Biology
- Statistics and Mathematics
- Communication and Textual Research
As the dialogue between Iranian and Chinese women continues to unfold, it holds the promise of creating robust networks and opportunities for collaboration. By harnessing their collective expertise, these women can significantly impact the global scientific landscape, promoting innovation and development in both countries.
The future looks bright for female academicians across Iran and China as they work together to break down barriers and elevate the role of women in science and technology. Their united efforts may lead to groundbreaking discoveries and advancements that benefit not only their nations but the world as a whole.
