Keynote Speaker 

Challenge of Water Security in Iran and Iraq

Speaker: Dr. Hossein Mohammadzadeh

mohammadzadeh@um.ac.ir

Affiliation: Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Summary:The challenge of water security is an important issue that has significant implications for regional stability, agricultural productivity, and public health. The assessment of water security components and indicators provides a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and opportunities related to water resources in a given region. Due to climate change, population growth, and mismanagement of water resources, water shortage problems have become increasingly serious in both Iran and Iraq, two important countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. Both countries face a complex interplay of factors contributing to water scarcity, including the over-extraction of groundwater, pollution of water bodies, and the impacts of geopolitical tensions on shared water resources. In Iran, the situation is exacerbated by prolonged droughts and mismanagement of water resources, which have led to significant declines in surface/ground water resources and increased competition for water among various sectors. Similarly, in Iraq the construction of dams upstream, especially in Turkey, has further diminished the flow of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, leading to critical shortages that threaten both agricultural and domestic water supplies. Given these pressing challenges, the assessment of water security is critical for both Iran and Iraq. This assessment examines key components and indicators of water security, focusing on availability, accessibility, quality, and governance. Only through a concerted effort can Iran and Iraq hope to navigate the complexities of water security and build a more sustainable and secure future for their populations.

The Future of Innovation Lies in Technology Convergence and International Collaboration

Speaker: Dr. Omid Rezayfar

Rezayfar@yahoo.com / Rezayfar@semnan.ac.ir

Affiliation: Head of the International Scientific Cooperation Center & Department of Civil Engineering - Structures, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Semnan University, Iran

Summary: Introduction: A Historical Legacy We are the heirs of great knowledge-based civilizations, such as Mesopotamia and Ancient Persia, which founded centers like Gundishapur and the House of Wisdom. This legacy teaches us that technology and knowledge have always transcended borders. The Shift to the Fifth-Generation University Universities have evolved from teaching-focused and research-focused models to entrepreneurial and socially-engaged institutions. Now, the time has come for the fifth generation: a university that places the convergence of emerging technologies (especially AI) and international collaboration at the core of its mission. The Common Language of the Future: NBIC The future belongs to technology convergence. The language of this convergence is NBIC (Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information technology, and Cognitive science). This approach integrates the engineering of matter, life, data, and decision-making, shifting innovation from tool-making to systemic, human-centered problem-solving. Innovation is Inherently Regional and Inherently Global NBIC is not born in a vacuum. Real regional challenges (water scarcity, healthcare, energy) are the breeding ground and strategic opportunity for its creation. No one understands a problem better than those who live with it. Yet, innovation confined solely to a region is incomplete. Today, international collaboration is achieved not through diplomacy alone, but through shared projects, shared data, and tangible results. Three Practical Actions to Institutionalize Collaboration 1. Establish a Joint International Scientific Journal: Focused on NBIC and AI solutions, serving not just to publish papers but to document applied knowledge, set standards, and create trusted references. 2. Define Bilateral Flagship Projects: Problem-oriented, interdisciplinary projects managed jointly and implemented in real-world settings (e.g., sustainable construction, smart irrigation systems). 3. Launch Joint Educational Programs and Theses: To cultivate a new generation fluent in NBIC thinking, building long-lasting bridges between institutions and the innovation ecosystem. Conclusion: From Consumer to Credible Player By implementing this model, a region can transform from a technology consumer into an active and credible node in the global innovation network. The future belongs not to those who merely possess technology, but to countries and regions that leverage technology convergence (NBIC), artificial intelligence, and international collaboration to turn their historical heritage into a global opportunity.

Universities and Entrepreneurship From Knowledge Production to Future Creation

Speaker: Dr. Ali Esmaeili

aliesmaeili@ferdowsi.um.ac.ir

Affiliation: Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran

Summary: This talk examines the changing role of universities in a rapidly transforming global economy. Over the past decades, global income inequality has increased, not because of a lack of knowledge, but due to unequal access to and ownership of technology. Today, economic power is concentrated in countries and companies that are able to convert knowledge into scalable technologies. The presentation argues that universities can no longer remain paper-oriented institutions. While scientific publications are important, they are insufficient for addressing real societal and economic challenges. Value creation has shifted from land and machinery to technology, data, and human intelligence. The talk highlights why most academic research fails to become technology: starting from papers instead of problems, lack of market validation, and absence of complementary teams. It emphasizes that technology begins with a real problem, progresses through MVP development, and survives only through market validation. Finally, the presentation calls for a fundamental transformation of roles: students as engines of innovation, professors as architects and mentors, and universities as active development players. The concluding message is clear: universities must adapt and participate in future creation—or risk being left behind