Iran Digital Education Initiative to Commence at Elementary Level with Weekly Incentives
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, Minister of Communications Seyyed Sattar Hashemi, speaking at a meeting with ICT sector stakeholders in Hormozgan Province on Monday, February 9, 2025, emphasized the critical role of targeted education in securing the nation’s future.
Hashemi stated that the ‘Iran Digital’ initiative will feature systematic and continuous educational modules, incorporating weekly prizes and incentives aimed at increasing student motivation and participation. He positioned this investment in early-age digital education as a vital step toward nurturing a creative, capable generation familiar with modern technologies, ultimately strengthening the human infrastructure necessary for the country’s digital economy.
The Minister highlighted that the program specifically targets advanced topics such as artificial intelligence and novel technologies, describing its implementation as a strategic opportunity for Hormozgan Province. This, he added, can lay the groundwork for skill-based development, technological growth, and the more effective utilization of local provincial resources.
In discussing the ministry’s ongoing efforts, Hashemi referenced the ‘Technology Mondays’ sessions, which serve as regular weekly forums for the Ministry of Communications. These meetings facilitate synergy, idea exchange, and the definition of practical ICT projects in collaboration with provincial authorities, a process he noted significantly accelerates national digital development.
Focusing on the development of diverse technology ecosystems, the Minister identified cross-border trade as a paramount component. He asserted that Hormozgan Province, capitalizing on its prime geographic location and indigenous capacities, is positioned to play a decisive role in expanding digital commerce and the broader digital economy.
Hashemi stressed the necessity of system integration and robust private sector involvement for achieving a smart government transformation. He maintained that with private sector leadership and coordinated government policies, the transition to smart governance will accelerate, leading to enhanced service quality, increased productivity, and higher public satisfaction.
The Minister also addressed the national project migrating communications infrastructure from copper cables to fiber optics, acknowledging the bold undertaking by the Telecommunication Company of Iran. This project promises substantial improvements in connection speed and quality, along with secondary benefits such as lower energy consumption and enhanced network stability and resilience against climatic challenges, particularly humidity.
Achieving full deployment of the fiber optic network requires a cohesive supply chain, reliance on domestic production, and active participation from private enterprises. Hashemi confirmed that the Ministry of Communications stands ready to furnish the necessary support and facilities, calibrated to market demand and the specific needs of provinces like Hormozgan, to advance this strategic infrastructure project.
Linking digital development to national economic goals, Hashemi noted the eight percent economic growth target stipulated in the law, observing that 35 percent of this growth is productivity-dependent, which is unattainable without technology adoption. Consequently, he urged that the digital economy must be seriously channeled toward industrial sectors.
Addressing past communication challenges, the Minister concluded that modern life and business operations are more dependent than ever on stable connectivity. He affirmed that the government and the Ministry, working with the private sector and relevant agencies, prioritized the rapid and sustainable restoration of communications, resulting in a noticeable reduction in associated damages.
Finally, regarding the migration of specialized human resources, Hashemi stated that while migration is an undeniable phenomenon, the solution is not blocking pathways. Instead, the focus must be on strategic training, skill development, and creating meaningful employment opportunities within the technology sector. He concluded that the expansion of high-quality smart services tailored to public needs will naturally decrease incentives for emigration and reinforce the confidence of the nation’s elite in their future career prospects domestically.
The Minister concluded by expressing confidence that with sustained strategic investment, inter-agency synergy, and active private sector partnership, Hormozgan Province possesses the potential to become one of the country’s leading hubs for modern communications, digital economy, and innovation ecosystems.
