快猫短视频

Some may think Iranian science is limited to nuclear technology. What is the reality?

Some of the best string theorists in the world are from Iran. It is strong in areas including molecular biology, stem cell research, robotics, cybersecurity and medicine. In 2014, the Fields medal in mathematics was won by an Iranian woman now in the US, Maryam Mirzakhani 鈥� the first woman to win it. There is huge talent in Iran.

How does it fare on the world stage?

Despite international sanctions, Iran has been the leading nation in terms of annual growth in scientific production in recent years and is 17th in the world in terms of output of papers, and first in the Islamic world. It has 4.5 million university students and 70 per cent of those in engineering and science departments are women.

What impact did sanctions have?

Ironically, virtually none on the government, but for many ordinary people they were devastating. Because the Iranian banking system was cut off from the rest of the world, vital medicines could not be paid for. A . For a couple of decades, researchers couldn鈥檛 download software from the US or buy vital equipment. As sanctions deepened, they could not even pay for journal subscriptions. US researchers were barred from visiting or giving advice without permission, and a lot of Iranian researchers could not get visas to travel to the US or to Europe. It was very difficult to do any collaborative work.

And yet Iranian science seems in relatively rude health. How come?

快猫短视频s in Iran took the view that failure was not an option. They would just try to get around the problems posed by sanctions 鈥� smuggling in the part they needed, building it themselves or devising ways to do without it. They innovated.

Has the situation changed since sanctions were lifted in January?

There is much more freedom of movement and researchers can now buy equipment and materials. Participation in international conferences will massively increase as well.

What are you most excited about?

A world-class is being built in Iran. In 2018, construction will start on the country鈥檚 most important science project ever 鈥� a in Qazvin. Both projects involve international collaboration. Also, as a result of the nuclear deal, the Fordow site, which was used for fuel enrichment, will become a centre for cutting-edge research in areas such as nuclear fusion, astrophysics and medical isotopes.

So it鈥檚 all positive?

There are some caveats. Europeans who have been to Iran in the past five years will still if they want to go to the US, two top Iranian universities will have and there are ongoing bans on some equipment based on possible dual use. But on the whole, things are looking up.

This article appeared in print under the headline 鈥淚ran is ready to thrive鈥�