سخن سردبیر: جایگاه دانش‌آموختگان علم‌سنجی در تحقق سیاست‌ها و برنامه‌های نظام آموزش عالی

Promulgating the new instructions on how to grant incentive base to faculty members (Appendix of Article 53 of the Employment Regulations of Faculty Members, approved by the Board of Trustees of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology (MSRT)) by the honorable Minister of MSRT and directly emphasizing the need to employ scientometric experts for its implementation was an excuse to dedicate this issue to a review of the position of scientometrics graduates in the field of higher education.
In paragraph 10-38-7 of the new notification instruction that has been implemented since spring 2023, universities and higher education institutions are requested to "appoint at least one special expert (with mastery of scientometrics and Technometrics) working in the institution to implement this instruction. This is a valuable indication of the positive view of the country's scientific and executive circles of higher education towards the position of scientometrics and promises a more promising career future for the graduates of this field.
Years ago, in the preface of the book "Introduction to Scientometrics: Foundations, Concepts, Relations and Origins" I declared the need for scientometric specialists to obtain the demands and evidence in the country's upstream documents such as the comprehensive scientific map of the country, I was aware of the fact that the use of scientometric experts as one of the most significant areas supporting science policy requires more serious support, and I had demanded a firmer determination for the training of scientometric experts; Because the increasing changes facing the higher education system, I did not doubt that the increasing demand in scientometric experts will be inevitable.
In the same years and based on this fundamental need, the Ministry of Health, and Medical Education, as one of the pioneers in the use of scientometric experts in Iran, had correctly declared the establishment of scientometric units in all its universities and research centers, as well as the employment of scientometric experts in these units.
After years of continuous efforts, this ministry profits from the countless advantages of science and technologyunits in line with its research and technology policies and planners, both at the Ministry's Research and Technology deputy level
and in its affiliated universities and research centers level.
In fact, applying the knowledge of scientometric professionals in various fields of higher education has become a necessity; and scientometric experts are an integral part of the higher education system, which previously I have mentioned some of these necessities in the editor-in-chief's Note, No. 6, entitled "Taking advantage of Scientometrics’ graduates in universities, a necessity to release from quasi=research"; and I have also noted some of these necessities in the editor -in -chief's Note, No. 9, entitled "A thought-provoking semi-perspective on the research, educational, and professional backgrounds of the scientometrics discipline at the universities of the world".
Currently, despite the existing large volumes of upstream documents, laws, guidelines, and formal notifications that indirectly or even directly apply the scientometrics professionals to meet the needs of the higher education system, it is expected to be more decisive to employ and apply experts and specialists.
In this regard, it is not unexpected that the State Administrative and Employment Organization will quickly coordinate, approve and communicate the requirements of MSRT, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and other relevant institutions to facilitate the recruitment of these experts.
Along with it, universities and research centers also launch their scientometric units based on the new proclamation of the Minister of MSRT, relying on existing upstream approvals and documents. Upstream units such as the Department of Research and Technology, the Department of Education, and the Secretariat of the Board of Directors and Secretariat observe the implementation of the processes of the use of experts and professionals in universities.
Certainly, it is only if the universities and higher education systems of the country will benefit more than ever before from the services and support of the experts and specialists to advance science and technology policy goals.
On the other hand, as I mentioned in the editor-in-chief's Note, No 4, entitled "The Responsibility of the Scientometrics Graduates", it should not be overlooked that this kind of view of higher education system toward scientometrics from another approach must also be taken to the good; Because it doubles the responsibility of scientometrics graduates in strengthening its scientific and technological powers in order to respond more effectively to the needs of higher education.
Currently, with the announcement of the new Employment Regulations of the faculty and its attachment to Article 53 by the Ministry, the opportunity to take advantage of the knowledge of experts and graduates of scientometrics has been provided for universities and research centers in the country, which should be utilized as best as possible. By smoothing the path of recruitment, hiring, and employing scholars and graduates, and also the launch of scientometrics units in universities and research institutes that have not yet done so, the higher education system benefits more than ever before the knowledge of these scholars.
However, there will also be questions that should be addressed in this direction; such as: What are the mechanisms needed to guide the universities based in universities and research centers, as well as to observe their activities? What other mechanisms will be needed to enable the higher education system from the studies and activities of universities and research centers in the country? And what other steps should be taken to facilitate the use, recruitment, and employment of scholarship graduates in the country's higher education system and remove barriers in this regard?