Dr. Fariba Mohammadi, Head of the Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, emphasized the strategic role of research, technology, and innovation as the three pillars for the scientific development of university sports during a specialized meeti

She called for concentrating the country’s scientific and research capacities to enhance the performance of the Iranian team at the Universiade.

Dr. Mohammadi highlighted that the institute, with its 25 young and specialized faculty members, the National Sports Science Network, and the National Center for Sports Innovation and Technology, is ready to serve as the scientific arm supporting sports federations. The institute aims to scientifically and purposefully design the pathway from idea to medal through a reverse engineering approach.

She stressed the importance of avoiding redundant efforts and optimizing resource use, proposing that the institute be officially assigned the mission of research and technological needs assessment for sports federations to effectively harness the country’s scientific potential.

Dr. Mohammadi also pointed to the achievements of the institute’s sports innovation center, noting that over the past five years, more than 20 sports startups have successfully developed products there. Recently, a contract was signed to establish an innovation center for one of the federations, demonstrating how linking research, technology, and federations can yield tangible and transformative results.

She concluded by emphasizing that for a successful presence at the 2025 Universiade, research and technology must be regarded as fundamental pillars of the delegation’s preparedness. The institute is prepared to provide scientific support at all levels, from designing preparation pathways to analyzing athlete performance.

The Institute of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, under the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, serves as the country’s main scientific hub and think tank for sports. It focuses on policy-making, coordinating research activities across universities, sports organizations, and federations, and advancing applied research to meet national needs in physical education and sports. Its strategic goals include enhancing research capacity, fostering innovation, and establishing international collaborations to elevate the scientific and technological standards of sports in Iran and the region.