Professor Manoussi Delivers Keynote at Islamic Azad University, Karaj

At the Islamic Azad University of Karaj, Professor Akbar Manoussi, a distinguished international economist, delivered an insightful keynote address at the international conference titled “The Role of Universities in Enhancing International Relations and Strengthening the National Economy Amid Sanctions.” The event was organized in collaboration with the university’s Elite and Researchers Club, the International Faculty, and the Scientific Association of the Management and Accounting Faculty.

Dr. Afshin Zargar, the Deputy Director of Research and Technology at the university, inaugurated the event by welcoming attendees and highlighting the importance of international collaboration in overcoming economic sanctions. He emphasized the critical role of academia in preserving national interests and called for collective efforts from scholars and educators to elevate Iran’s standing in the global arena.

Prominent guests included Dr. Rabani, former head of Alborz Technology Park; Abbas Assemi, former chargé d’affaires of Iran in Canada; Hamid Hamdani, CEO of Kariz Holding; Saeed Hamdani, Chairman of Tandis Trading Company; and Dr. Hamid Torabi, CEO of Hamvatan Investment.

In his speech, Professor Manoussi reflected on his extensive academic journey, which began over fifty years ago under the mentorship of Dr. Hossein Pirnia, a luminary in Iranian academia and founder of the Economics Faculty at the University of Tehran. His studies at the University of Waterloo in Canada, guided by Nobel laureate Professor Robert Mundell, led to his relocation to Ottawa, where he actively engaged in international economic and political events.

Expressing his deep affection for Iran, Professor Manoussi stressed the importance of effective resource management and strategic economic planning. He articulated the necessity of grounding the nation’s economy in scientific principles to prevent future setbacks.

Our future is not determined by the new shoes we wear, but by the steady and consistent steps we take in them.

He compared the traditional and modern academic paradigms, noting that the classical approach, prevalent before the 1970s, focused on elite education and societal leadership based on Platonic philosophy. In contrast, the contemporary postmodern academic model treats students as consumers, prioritizing their needs and integrating universities into the global knowledge economy.

Professor Manoussi highlighted the shift from a top-down to a bottom-up educational management approach, emphasizing market-responsive curricula designed to meet students’ skill demands. This transformation has turned universities into global villages that foster extensive academic and cultural exchanges, crucial for addressing societal issues.

He underscored the strategic role of education in foreign policy, advocating for educational cooperation as a means to cultivate future diplomatic relations. He pointed out that student interactions can strengthen political and economic ties, especially when formal diplomatic channels are strained.

Culturally, he emphasized the importance of internationalizing higher education to spread national values and culture, describing students as cultural ambassadors. Such exchanges, he noted, are often included in bilateral cooperation agreements and diplomatic memoranda, enhancing mutual understanding and collaboration.

Addressing the current economic challenges and sanctions, Professor Manoussi urged a focus on available opportunities. He discussed the limitations of relying on Europe, suggesting Canada as a more viable economic partner due to its cultural diversity, rule of law, economic stability, advanced banking system, and infrastructure.

He called for renewed Iran-Canada relations and encouraged engagement with emerging markets in South America, warning of the negative consequences of Iran’s absence from global economic forums.

Concluding his speech, Professor Manoussi expressed optimism about Iran’s economic potential, contingent on appointing competent leaders and eliminating intermediary practices within five years. He stressed the importance of supporting the middle class, the backbone of the economy.

In a Q&A session, he addressed student inquiries and referenced his recent discussions in various economic forums, urging students to engage in further research and study on these critical topics.