Speaking at the signing ceremony for a tripartite agreement on
developing an AI assistant for the petrochemical industry, Afshin highlighted
the provisions of the "Knowledge-Based Economy Growth Act" as an
opportunity to strengthen ties between academia and industry.
Legal and Financial Support for Research and Development
Afshin explained Articles 11 and 13 of the Act, which provide
financial incentives for R&D collaborations:
Article 13: Research
contracts with universities are eligible for tax credits. The Secretariat for
Scientific Tax Credit has been established in collaboration with the Tax
Administration, allowing up to IRR 2.5 billion to be allocated at the
discretion of university presidents.
Article 11:
Clause B allows private
and state-owned companies investing in R&D to benefit from annual
depreciation tax credits.
Clause T grants full tax
credits for university-developed equipment.
Recent applications of these provisions include allocations of IRR 200
billion for Yazd University and IRR 108 billion for Isfahan University of
Technology under Clause T.
National AI Platform and Strategic Investments
Afshin also referenced the National AI Platform project, spearheaded
by Sharif University of Technology with 80 faculty members and researchers. The
first phase of the project is set to launch by March 2025.
He emphasized the importance of AI investment, noting that IRR 10
trillion has been allocated to AI development. "Those investing in AI today
will see significant financial benefits in the future, with maximum returns
projected within 40-50 years," he said.
Collaboration with Maroun Petrochemical Company
Afshin expressed satisfaction with Maroun Petrochemical Company's
selection to implement AI initiatives. He praised the company for hosting
numerous student training programs and fostering academia-industry interaction.
Sharif University’s Role in AI Advancement
Seyed Abbas Mousavi, President of Sharif University of Technology,
pointed out the untapped potential for collaboration with the petrochemical
industry. He expressed hope that this tripartite agreement would mark the
beginning of closer industry-academia engagement.
Mousavi highlighted the contributions of Sharif’s electronics and
energy research centers to AI development and stressed the importance of
utilizing tax credit provisions for mutual benefits.
Targeted University Support
Afshin reiterated the Vice Presidency's focus on supporting
universities based on their strengths. "Rather than attempting to
strengthen all universities simultaneously, we focus on their unique
capabilities, providing targeted support to maximize impact," he stated.
The agreement is expected to pave the way for integrating AI into
Iran's petrochemical industry, promoting innovation and sustainable growth.