According to the university's public relations: Officials from Qom University of Technology visited innovation acceleration centers at Pardis Park to gain more experience and synergy. In this regard, the public relations unit conducted an interview with Dr. Roozbeh Rajabi, the director of industry relations and entrepreneurship.
Hello and greetings. Please provide details regarding these visits.
Hello and thank you for your hard work. Given the new approach of the management of industry relations and entrepreneurship towards gaining more experience and synergy, officials from Qom University of Technology visited the Azadi Innovation Factory, Tehran Innovation House, and Paradise Hub.
What was the purpose of these visits?
Considering that Qom University of Technology is a developing institution, we aimed to gain a deeper understanding of the country's technology and innovation ecosystem, acquire new experiences, and take initial steps to enhance the university’s collaboration and synergy with these centers.
Where is Paradise Hub located and what facilities does it offer for students and faculty with ideas?
Paradise Hub is a co-working space for startups. At Paradise Hub, amenities such as workstations, free coffee, Wi-Fi, etc., are provided to startups. Workshops are organized at Paradise Hub, allowing individuals present in the co-working space to participate and benefit from the content.
Please explain about Azadi Innovation Factory and what services it can provide to students?
Azadi Innovation Factory is the largest startup incubator in the Middle East, located in an area of 18,500 square meters in the west of the capital. The factory has 10 warehouses covering 10,000 square meters, as well as 4,500 square meters of office space and various service units including shared workspaces, several meeting rooms, a conference hall, a gym, a restaurant, and a café, making it an ideal location for startups and venture capital firms. Additionally, the presence of the stock exchange trading board in the Innovation Tower provides the opportunity for startup valuation and entry into the stock market. The warehouses of this factory have also been remodeled and adapted according to the needs of the innovation centers located within.
In summer 2018, the Innovation Factory was transformed into a national project and introduced as the first branch of Pardis Technology Park, aiming to complete the essential elements of this ecosystem. This action allows part of the facilities and regulations governing technology parks and free trade zones to apply to the research activities of startups based at the factory.
What initiatives has the Industry Relations Office provided so far for job creation and turning ideas into actions for students and faculty?
The Industry Relations Office of Qom University of Technology has implemented various programs to enhance the connectivity of students and faculty with industry. These initiatives include signing cooperation agreements between the university and various industries, establishing the university's innovation center, and accepting innovative projects with the participation of teams comprising faculty and students. The "Industry Partner" program was executed to improve contact between university students and various industries while communicating the needs of both the university and the industry. One area that has been less addressed so far is creating an environment for the growth of students’ innovative ideas and establishing a suitable foundation for entrepreneurship and the growth of startups, and planning is underway in this regard due to the high interest from students and faculty.
What are the future plans of the Entrepreneurship and Industry Relations Office of the university?
The Entrepreneurship and Industry Relations Office of the university, with a new executive team, intends to continue ongoing projects while increasing efficiency. In the area of entrepreneurship, this center has developed a quarterly program to explore various models to make the university more active in nurturing students' ideas, expanding and supporting startups and innovative businesses. Restructuring and improving the processes of the innovation center, assisting in the growth and development of scientific student associations, creating an entrepreneurial atmosphere among students, organizing various educational workshops, holding technological events, launching co-working spaces, revising and developing the Industry Partner program, enhancing connections with industries and economic entities in the province and the country, participating in regional events, and fostering closer ties with national technology development centers are among the future plans of this office.
