Omid Shakeri, deputy oil minister for engineering, research and technology, said joint efforts by the three institutions could not only drive technological progress in the industry but also create job opportunities for young people and strengthen incentives for them to stay and work in Iran.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of two cooperation agreements — one to integrate the oil industry’s innovation and technology ecosystem and another to establish a consortium for developing the value chain of associated petroleum gas — Shakeri said the partnerships highlight the importance of knowledge-based development.

He noted that efforts to preserve and strengthen the three organizations began under the 14th administration and have since positioned them as central players in oil industry research and innovation.

“In the current sensitive circumstances, when pressures are coming from all sides, we must rely on scientific and technological activities to advance the country and manage challenges,” Shakeri said. “This cooperation can bring abundant blessings for the nation.”

Shakeri also stressed the importance of creating career opportunities. “Job prospects remain a major concern for engineers and graduates, and the high desire for emigration shows we have not yet provided the right conditions,” he said. “These collaborations can pave the way for growth, empowerment and the recruitment of talented youth in the oil industry.”

The agreements were signed by Azim Kalantari-Asl, head of the Research Institute of Petroleum Industry; Mohammadreza Khosravi-Nikou, president of the Oil Industry University; Mahdi Ahmad Khanbeigi, director general of research affairs at the Oil Ministry; and  Farhang Fasihi, head of the Oil Industry Innovation and Technology Park.

A second agreement, to establish and lead the consortium for developing the associated gas value chain, was signed by the university president, the ministry’s research director, the technology park head and Maham Momeni, CEO of Hirbod Niroo Co.

The ceremony was also attended by Hassan Abbaszadeh, CEO of the National Petrochemical Co., and Zohreh Yousefian-Molla, oil minister’s adviser on women’s affairs.