Networking is a well-tested method of finding out what is happening in a specific field in an organisation, sector, country or the even the world. Knowledge exchange is the process through which one unit (e.g., individual, group, department, or division) is affected by the experience and knowledge of another and vice-versa. Network of Iranians for Knowledge and Innovation is the over-arching Network by Iranians in the field of science, technology, and culture. It provides individual academics, and research and technological organisations with the opportunity to network and share mutually beneficial information.
The goal of the Network of Iranians for Knowledge and Innovation is to improve the Iranians’ innovation performance by increasing the breadth and depth of the knowledge and innovation transfer into their homeland institutions and academics and by accelerating the rate at which this process occurs.
It tries to bring together a variety of academics and organisations such as universities, research and technology organisations and other intermediaries who will provide a range of activities and initiatives to enable the transfer as well as the exchange of knowledge and stimulation of innovation amongst the Iranian community around the world as a whole. The NIKI will provide access to world-leading research through conferences, workshops and reports by Iranian academics and practitioners.
It is important to bear in mind that knowledge transfer is not restricted to the transfer of developed world or Western scientific knowledge into Iran, but includes the transfer of knowledge from Iran to abroad. Knowledge and innovation transfer is not exclusively unidirectional; it is a completely bidirectional process.
Features
§ Non-profit
§ Non-governmental
§ Non-political
§ Volunteer-based
§ Environment of friendship and support
Objectives
§ To encourage the flow of people, knowledge and experience between inside and outside of Iran, with the common aim of improving scientific standing of Iranians;;
§ To facilitate the scientific mutual relation between Iranian universities and overseas universities and research institutes.
§ Knowledge and technology transfer
§ To provide an opportunity and encourage Iranian academics living abroad to scientifically serve their homeland if and when so desired
§ To try to establish joint Iranian-Overseas research projects
§ To promote and maintain professional relationships and support Iranian academics each other around the world.
§ To provide Iranian researchers, universities and research institutes with the opportunity to meet and network with individual academics and organisations abroad
§ To help placement of Iranian students, researchers and professors for overseas research programs and vice versa
§ To pave the way for internationally publishing the knowledge produced in Iran
§ To preserve and promulgate Iranian cultural, intellectual and civilizational heritage outside of Iran
§ To provide an appropriate channel for communication and dialogue for the Iranian academics community abroad
§ To develop high quality processes for disseminating research results
§ To match-make potential joint ventures
Core Values
§ The Forum espouses the values of:
§ Transparency
§ Lateral and vertical accountability
§ Professional and ethical integrity
§ Mutual respect
§ Collective action and responsibility
§ Participation
§ Voluntarism and service above self
What support does the NIKI offer?
§ It seeks to actively promote the exchange of knowledge and information through a range of outreach activities. These are quite likely to be large, involving a variety of players from individual academics, the University, and professional associations.
§ It seeks to fill in information gaps that exist between knowledge holders and users/seekers. These can likely to be interactive and on-line.
What kind of activity the NIKI undertake?
Typical activities include:
§ To create a comprehensive website that links Iranian researchers and academics around the world
§ To create a searchable database of Iranian academics and researchers abroad. This site will be accessible to all Iranian academics;
§ Scientific and technology workshops, seminars and conferences by individuals and teams
§ To conduct group trips for Iranian academics in different fields of science and technology in cooperation with Iranian universities and research institutes
§ To explore the barriers to knowledge exchange and provide recommendations aimed at minimizing or eliminating them;
§ To explore the ways to facilitate publishing the scientific papers of Iranians
§ Matchmaking potential joint ventures
Networked organizations
Industry and organizations with interest in the activities can join the NIKI through a sponsorship mechanism. (e.g. All medical societies, pharmaceutical companies,…)
