Vice Minister of Science for Cultural and Social Affairs Emphasizes Universities' Crucial Role in Expanding the Space for Free Thinking and Institutionalizing Rational Dialogue
Sep 08, 2026
The Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology for Cultural and Social Affairs stated that expanding the space for free thinking and dialogue is one of the pressing demands of today's society and emphasized the strategic role of universities in institutionalizing rational dialogue.
According to the Public Relations of the Ministry of Science, the unveiling ceremony of the poster for the final event of the third National Festival "Borhan" with the theme of "Problem-Orientation, Dialogue, and Free Thinking" was held with the presence of the Deputy Minister of Science for Cultural and Social Affairs, the President of Shahid Beheshti University, and the Director General of the Office of Cultural and Social Policy Making of the Ministry of Science.
This ceremony was attended by Dr. Vahid Shaltchi, Deputy Minister of Science, Research and Technology for Cultural and Social Affairs, Dr. Seyed Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri, President of Shahid Beheshti University; Dr. Hassan Rezaei, Director General of the Office of Cultural and Social Policy Making and Planning of the Ministry of Science, and Dr. Fazel Jahangiri, Deputy Minister of Cultural and Social Affairs of Shahid Beheshti University.
The National Festival "Borhan," as one of the main pillars for strengthening the culture of constructive interaction in academic environments, endeavors to foster critical thinking and provide a dynamic platform for student participation in analyzing major national issues.
University: The Hub of Rationality and Constructive Dialogue
Dr. Vahid Shaltchi stated at this ceremony that expanding the space for free thinking and dialogue is one of the pressing demands of today's society and emphasized the strategic role of universities in institutionalizing rational dialogue.
He stated that the development of communication tools has not necessarily led to an improvement in the space for critique, and asserted that universities must be the driving force in creating an environment based on rationality, tolerance, and attention to national interests. The new approach of the Borhan Festival in its third edition is a step towards strengthening targeted dialogues, which can significantly contribute to the stability and advancement of the country's educational and social system.
The Necessity of Psychological Security and Logic in Student Interactions. Subsequently, Dr. Seyed Mahmoud Reza Aghamiri, referring to the necessity of interaction among diverse viewpoints, stated: "The university must be the scale for listening to and evaluating opinions. Strengthening students' ability to logically express their views and creating a calm and secure environment for exchanging ideas are among our primary responsibilities."
He also emphasized the importance of accurately recording the achievements of this festival and called for media teams to plan for targeted documentation and the creation of a rich archive for future utilization.
Borhan: From Debate-Centric Experience to Problem-Centricity. The third edition of the "Borhan" festival, with a fundamental shift in approach, has moved from the traditional "debate-centric" model towards "problem-centric dialogue." The process of this edition included the following stages:
Monitoring and Identification: Identifying and documenting 636 free thinking sessions across universities nationwide and selecting 126 distinguished sessions.
Empowerment: Participation of approximately 90 teams in four axes: "Higher Education Issues," "War and Post-War," "National and Local Issues," and "Global Issues," and benefiting from two months of training and mentoring.
It is noteworthy that the final event of this festival will be held from September 16th to 20th at Shahid Beheshti University, in the form of seven "Learning Fields," including specialized sections such as "Problem and Policy Market," "Future Crisis Room," "Governance Map," and other simulated topics, with the aim of consolidating students' scientific and discursive achievements.
