Student housing project at UCAD Dakar developed by Hardel Le Bihan Architectes

The fifth summer training program in nanotechnology has started in Tehran, aimed at enhancing specialized knowledge and supporting researchers. The event began on July 23rd and is scheduled to last for two months. According to nano.ir, the school's goal is to expand modern educational approaches, promote technologies, train qualified personnel, and facilitate effective interaction between universities, industry, and technology centers.

The summer school program includes over 40 specialized training courses and 10 scientific webinars led by renowned university professors, lecturers, and experts in nanotechnology. The curriculum covers a wide range of current topics in nanotechnology, allowing participants to study the latest scientific and technological achievements, innovations, new technologies, industrial applications of nanotechnology, as well as entrepreneurship.

Over the past four years, the nanotechnology summer school has been highly sought after by both Iranian and international students. To date, more than 4000 students have benefited from the various educational programs offered by the school, including over 50 international participants.

The development of the nanotechnology sector in the country demonstrates more than just scientific achievements, given the presence of over 430 companies operating in this field and more than 1960 nanotechnology products that have received nano-level certification. As reported by IRNA, the development of nanotechnology in Iran is measured not only by scientific rankings and published articles but also by the products that have been manufactured and implemented in the industry and market.

The total sales volume of these products exceeds 970 trillion rials (approximately 554 million dollars), indicating the transformation of scientific achievements into economic and industrial potential. Nanotechnology in the country is an example of successful development of a technological ecosystem, as a long-term roadmap was developed from the outset to strengthen all aspects of the technological development chain—from education and research to commercialization and market development.

Nano-Certified Products Are Growing

The role of the Nanotechnology Headquarters in recent years has not been limited to macroeconomic planning; it has also included facilitating coordination among universities, research institutes, industry, knowledge-based companies, and supporting institutions. Factors contributing to the transition of nanotechnology from laboratories to industries in the country include the creation of a strategic network of technological laboratories, the development of standards for evaluating nanoproducts, startup support, and the design of industrial programs.

In the past Iranian calendar year (March 2025 – March 2026), approximately 230 products received nano-level certification, exceeding the target by 40 units. Last year, the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy, and the Nanotechnology Headquarters planned to obtain nano-level certifications for 190 products (one product per working day). The total number of nanotechnology products with nano-level certification increased to 1965, according to IRNA.

The highest number of products receiving nano-level certification was registered in the provinces of Tehran, Fars, and Mazandaran, with 64, 48, and 24 respectively. The next most populous provinces were Zanjan (32 products), Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad (17), Markazi (16), Qazvin (11), and Isfahan (7).

Among the 230 products, industrial supplies accounted for the largest share with 72 products. The energy, oil, and related sectors comprised 41 products, the chemical industry accounted for 36, and pharmaceuticals and healthcare accounted for 26 products.

The Nanotechnology Headquarters supported the promotion of 20 nanotechnology inventions in the country, which accounts for 19 percent of the total registered inventions in 2024. Over the past year, 33 nanotechnology plans were approved, resulting in contracts for 23, according to ISNA.

The Headquarters intends to identify, evaluate, and support innovative ideas to strengthen business in the nanotechnology sector.

During the Iranian year ending in March 2025, the total number of nanotechnology products certified at the nano-level by the Iranian Nanotechnology Innovation Council reached 1735, and they were commercialized by 201 companies. The total revenue from the sale of these products in the Iranian year 1403 (March 2024 – March 2025) reached 973 trillion rials (nearly 506 million dollars), which is 57 percent higher compared to the previous year and 72 percent higher than 200 trillion rials ($104 million) over the last four years. This growth is approximately 31 percent above the country's average annual inflation rate, noted Emad Ahmadvand, Secretary of the Iranian Nanotechnology Innovation Council Headquarters.

This official made these statements during a meeting with journalists at the 16th Iranian Nanotechnology Exhibition, held in Tehran from November 2 to 5, 2025. He also added that the export of these nanoproducts accounts for 10 percent of sales, equivalent to approximately 183 million dollars.

In the states of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, students decided they had waited long enough, demanding proper educational conditions.

In the city of Fatehpur, Uttar Pradesh state, nearly 1500 students boycotted classes for more than five hours. They demanded clean drinking water, working fans, safe toilets, and transparency regarding alleged unauthorized fee collection. This protest yielded results: officials agreed to seven out of their eight demands.

The movement did not stop there. In Bihar, students marched to the SDM office, demanding facility improvements. In Maharashtra, children took to the streets demanding better school infrastructure. In Rajasthan, female students protested because their school only had two teachers; following their demonstration, five new educators were appointed.

Their voices reflect a broader reality: over 100,000 government schools in India still lack electricity, nearly 100,000 schools operate with only one teacher, and thousands still lack girls' toilets.

Children should spend their time learning, not protesting for clean water, toilets, electricity, or teachers. Yet, this generation chose to speak up instead of remaining silent. Their courage is a reminder that knowing one's rights is the first step toward protecting them.

An engineering prodigy who began university studies at the age of ten achieved the feat of becoming the youngest university professor on the planet at eighteen years old. This record was officially confirmed by Guinness World Records, which attested that Nathan Thomas was 18 years and 346 days old when he started teaching at Miami Dade College, located in the state of Florida, United States, in August 2023.

With this achievement, Nathan surpassed the previous record set by Colin Maclaurin, who had reached the position of university professor at nineteen years old. Furthermore, he is 16 days younger than Alia Sabur, who held the title of youngest professor in the world at eighteen years and 362 days in 2008.

The young man enrolled at Miami Dade College when he was only ten years old and later applied for a transfer to the University of Florida International at fourteen. At eighteen, he had already completed a master's degree in electrical engineering.

Currently, Nathan, who is now 21 years old, teaches online while pursuing a Law degree at the University of Miami School of Law, with an expected graduation in 2028. His future professional focus is intellectual property law, with a special emphasis on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) areas.

When questioned by the Guinness World Records organization, Nathan commented: 'Engineering taught me to decompose complex problems in a structured way, and this is reflected in how I approach law school now.'

Despite his academic prowess, Nathan maintains a youthful profile of 21 years outside of the academic environment, dedicating time to sports or musical activities. He enjoys playing basketball, tennis, and golf, as well as playing classical piano, although he prefers listening to Drake or electronic/house music.

He recognizes the diversity of individual paths, admitting: 'Everyone's path is different, even if the goal seems similar from the outside,' and warns against constant comparison, stating that such practice only generates insecurity and delay.