SCCR Approach
The most important approaches and endorsements of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution during the past three decades may be outlined as the following:
First Decade (1984-1990): Studying the required infrastructures for scientific and cultural development of the country, strengthening and consolidating these infrastructures, and offering solutions for eliminating problems and formation of strategies for scientific and cultural developments were among the major approaches and concerns of SCCR. They were manifested in the following areas:
1- Structural: Establishment of the Supreme Council for Higher Education Planning, Public Culture Council, Socio-Cultural Council of Women, Persian Language and Literature Development Council, boards of trustee for universities and higher education centers, Supreme Council for Scientific-Applied Higher Education
2- Organizational: Establishment of SAMT (Organization for Academic Textbook Publications), The Office to Employ the Gifted Talents, Society for preservation of cultural luminaries’ works, The Office International recruitment of experts, Teacher Training Universities, Shahed University, International Islamic University, Payam-e Noor University, House of Science, Higher Institute for Research in Planning and Development, House of Persian Language and Literature
3- Articles of Association and Bylaws: Establishment of non-governmental higher education centers, Shahid Motahari Higher School of Theology, Imam Reza University, Mofid University, Council of Leader’s Representative Offices in the Universities, establishment of Basij society of university students
4- Policies and Regulations: Policies for selecting and appointing university chancellors, criteria for selecting university professors and students, scholarships for overseas students, PhD of Nuclear energy, scholarships for students from underdeveloped regions, fundamental changes in educational system, Literacy Movement, development of higher education centers, publishing books, research policies for the country, nationwide university entrance examinations, establishment of research centers
Second Decade (1991-2000): In addition to building on of the previous infrastructures, SCCR paid special attention to public culture, the gifted, women, overseas issues, evaluation and participation in planning system for development of the country. These approaches were realized in the following areas:
1- Infrastructures: Bylaws and regulations for administration of universities, establishment of Islamic association in the universities, student disciplinary regulations, student basij association, establishment of scientific, literary and artistic societies, studying and approving articles of association for higher education centers and institutions, articles of association for scientific and research estates, houses of art, establishment of the Supreme Council for the Youth, Art Council, etc.
2- The Gifted talents and Women: Preparations for establishment of higher education center for elite students, the plan to support gifted students, bylaws on establishment of the Council to foster Gifted Students and Luminaries, policies for employment of women, reviewing cultural, social and sports policies for women, principles and basics for development of chastity culture, research policies on women’s issues
3- Public Culture: Reviewing and amending video, cinema and press issues, the plan for coordination in management of cultural issues, reviving the role of mosques, bylaw on special days, nomenclature of streets and areas, control on statue and statuette design and construction, reorganizing cultural management of the country, commemorating the year of Imam Ali (AS), the Council to Supervise Production of Toys for Children, etc.
4- Overseas: Bylaw on overseas activities of the universities, reviving the role of mosques in countering cultural onslaught, higher education of Iranians ex-pats in Persian Gulf littoral states, planning for participation in Beijing Summit, establishment of Tehran University satellite campus in Baku, membership in international conventions on women, policies against cultural assault, etc.
5- Evaluation and Supervision on Development Plans: Merging research programs in various sectors during the Second Development Plan, basic strategies for improvement of educational system in the Second Development Plan, rules and regulations for establishment of cultural institutes and supervising their performance, supervising imports and distribution of toys for kids, approving overall framework for establishment of a center for evaluation and future programming of science and technology, controlling imprints and logos on clothes and stationeries, etc.
Third Decade (2001-2010): While underlining sustainability of the first and second decade approaches, and eliminating the majority of flaws and deficiencies in the scientific and cultural organizations of the country, the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution defined new missions. Creating software movement, compiling comprehensive science roadmap of the country, providing cultural engineering map of the country, development and renovation of educational system, and serious follow-up of implementation of SCCR endorsements are indicative of importance and influence of this council and its prudent management by the Supreme Leader. Some of the most important endorsement of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in its third decade of activity are the following:
Approving and ratifying the comprehensive scientific map of the country, rules and regulations for activity of computer information networks, indicators for evaluation of scientific and technological works, workable strategies for scientific and technological development of the country, establishing the Support Board of Theorization and Debate forums, determining criteria for higher education evaluation, Articles of Association of the National Foundation for the Elite, Comprehensive Plan for Development of the Culture of Praying, objects and principles for family establishment, planning and consolidation, policies and strategies for promotion and development of nanotechnology, development and renovation of educational system, Quranic Culture Development Charter, biotechnology strategies, the need for a cultural appendix in all economic and development plans, policies, rules and regulations for establishment of Islamic World Science Citation Database (ISC), principles and necessities for Fifth Socio-economic and Cultural Development Plan, approving establishment of biotechnology park, strategies to counterattack adverse impacts of satellite programs, delegating the authority of approving courses of theological schools and human sciences to the Council to Develop Theological Schools, granting scientific credit to the magazines, establishment of scientific associations and pillars in the theological schools, principles governing promotion of the ranks of academic board members, establishment of the National Foundation for Computer Games, admitting local students in the nationwide university entrance examinations.
New Age of SCCR: More Effort, Endeavor and Determination, SCCR Perfection
In the Ninth Government when the new secretary of the council was introduced, a new page of planning, effort and endeavor was turned in the history of the council and SCCR began to experience a flawless period. During this period, the SCCR Secretariat rearranged programs and established specialized councils comprised of experts from the theological schools and universities. They provide the scientific and specialized backbone for expert-level decisions of the council and as well as fostering a wider relationships with scientific, cultural and executive institutions, organizations and centers. The Secretariat has served since then in the frontline of SCCR decisions and implementation of its endorsements. The recent performance of SCCR has pleased the Supreme Leader.
Highlights from Supreme Leader’s remarks in his visit with SCCR members in 2007 and 2011:
• In the past couple of years, there is a consensus among the experts we addressed that the efforts and endeavors of the council have been increased and this is worthy of expressing thanks. Today, the council is more active than before and it makes decisions in the same direction it is ought to.
• I am particularly aware that the president actively takes part in the sessions of the council. This is also clear in his viewpoints. I express my thanks to the president.
• Also I express my thanks to the esteemed secretary of the council Dr. Mokhber for the good performance of the Secretariat.
• I express my thanks to the SCCR Secretariat and affiliated councils for their efforts and good performance.
• We enjoy observing more dynamism in the state of the best elite of this land in our vital “cultural” area.
• I express my thanks to every single member of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, Secretariat and its employees and wish them evermore success.
• Good works have been accomplished such as the comprehensive science road map of the country. Accordingly, efforts are underway to implement the map and, God Willing, this must be done soon.
• The Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution is becoming more perfect than before. Today, the council is stronger, more experienced, and extensive than before. It is necessary to take this role seriously. (June 13, 2011)
