Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani's Memoirs - October 10, 1999 The president of the University of Applied Science and Technology and the Deputy Minister of Culture and Higher Education expressed their gratitude to Hashemi.

The president of the University of Applied Science and Technology and the Deputy Minister of Culture and Higher Education expressed their gratitude for my role as the designer and founder of the university. I mentioned that, like the Islamic Azad University, this institution was also established based on high demand and the efficient use of existing resources.

For the inauguration of a research conference, we went to the national broadcaster’s headquarters. I toured the exhibition of works and research from the broadcaster and other centers. After a welcoming report from Mr. [Ali] Larijani, [Head of IRIB], I delivered a speech on the importance of research and the growth of research funding during the first and second development programs. I emphasized preventing the reduction of these funds, ensuring continued support for research, and compiling accurate statistics on private sector and religious seminary research. I also highlighted the significant role of women in the research field.

I returned to the office, where the heads of the committees of the Expediency Discernment Council’s Secretariat came and discussed deviations in the third development program from the approved general policies and other issues with the program.

In the afternoon, managers from the University of Applied Science and Technology and [Seyyed Mohammadreza Ayatollahi], the governor of Tehran, visited. Dr. [Ali-Asghar] Tawfiq, [President of the University of Applied Science and Technology], and Dr. [Jafar] Tofiqi, [Deputy Minister of Culture and Higher Education], provided reports.

The university currently has 10,000 students across the country, and this year they have enrolled an additional 13,000 students. I was the designer and founder, with the support of the Reconstruction Government. They expressed their appreciation and read some of my statements about the university’s objectives and importance.

I also gave a speech, explaining that, similar to the Islamic Azad University, this university was established based on demand and the need for practical education, utilizing existing resources without requiring new investments. It provides the country with skilled professionals.

Later, Mr. [Mohammadreza] Abbasi-Fard came, expressing his dissatisfaction with Mr. [Seyyed Mahmoud] Hashemi Shahroudi, [Head of the Judiciary], for removing him from the position of Deputy Executive of the Judiciary. He also complained about Mr. [Ahmad] Jannati, [Secretary of the Guardian Council], accusing him of exerting undue pressure within the Council and opposing his membership. He requested to join the Expediency Discernment Council if he remained unemployed.

Mohsen, [Director of Tehran Metro], visited. He was upset about the failure to approve the metro’s budget during the general meeting of the metro company and mentioned that he had to confront Mr. [Morteza] Alviri, the mayor of Tehran, harshly in defense of the metro’s plans.