A team of three students from Sharif University of Technology won first place at the third International Competition for Student and Young Scientist Projects 'SMART CITY 2030,' held in Moscow on October 5–6. The competition gathered over 3,000 students from leading universities across BRICS countries to develop innovative solutions in sustainable urban development.
This event is part of the international platform 'Sustainable Urban Development Management in BRICS Countries,' which provides students, postgraduate students, and young researchers under 35 years old with the opportunity to present their projects and exchange ideas.
The Iranian team's project, named Minab App, was created in memory of 168 students killed in a US attack on a school in Minab, Hormozgan province, on the first day of the recent war introduced in the country. The project proposed initiatives focused on smart city technologies, creating a safer urban environment, and improving energy and transport systems. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of early childhood education and raising environmental awareness as key elements of sustainable urban development, according to IRIB.
This year, young scientists from BRICS member states presented 600 projects across seven main categories. Lyudmila Sergeevna, director of the Center for Business and Management Research at the Higher School of Economics of Russia, noted that the Iranian students' project is one of the best and a highly commendable idea because it focuses on institutionalizing environmental protection skills among children.
Plan for Developing an Ecology Curriculum
The Department of Environment (DOE) and the Ministry of Education discussed the possibility of creating a national educational program to promote ecological responsibility and awareness among youth. Mohammad Medadi, an employee of the DOE, pointed out the inefficiency of short-term and disjointed teaching, stating that achieving sustainable development and increasing the country's resilience is impossible without embedding an environmentally friendly attitude and lifestyle in society. He added that educational approaches need to be revised.
Environmental protection education should be taught from preschool through high school age. In addition to scientific lessons, it should focus on ethical aspects based on cultural, religious, and social teachings. This plan also includes training and supporting parents and teachers, the official noted.
Promoting Environmental Protection Among Children
In October 2025, the DOE and the Institute of Intellectual Development of Children and Youth (IIDCYA) signed a memorandum of understanding to promote environmental protection among children and youth. The signing took place at the IIDCYA headquarters in Tehran. The memorandum was signed by Hadi Kiyadadari, Deputy Head of the DOE for Education and Public Participation, and Hamed Alamati, Director of IIDCYA. The ceremony was held during the second day of National Children's Week, which was celebrated nationwide from October 7 to 13 under the slogan 'children are the joy of life.'
Since education plays a key role in strengthening environmental protection, the DOE is implementing a national project aimed at training eco-friendly students, called 'environmental assistants,' in 20 primary schools across the country. According to Mohammad Medadi, an employee of the DOE, this project was launched in collaboration with medical workers on September 23, 2025, at the beginning of the last academic year. The goal of the project is to identify students interested in environmental issues and encourage them to participate in a working group dedicated to environmental topics. As IRNA quotes Medadi, these students will subsequently educate others to raise their environmental awareness. The official added that the project is expected to cover all schools within five years.
Furthermore, informal education through extracurricular activities is planned, which brings up the issue of developing a national ecology subject. This will help create a roadmap for formal environmental education, according to him.
To implement environmentally friendly behavior, ecological education must be presented at an early age, when children attend primary or even preschool. However, there are certain difficulties. Medadi emphasized that education is a continuous process, and temporary or short-term courses will not lead to long-term behavioral changes; time is required to achieve positive results.