Introduction
Iran’s maritime domains, stretching from the Caspian Sea to the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, represent invaluable assets for advancing the nation’s economy, trade, and food security. Nevertheless, challenges such as fragmented research efforts and insufficient interaction among academia, industry, and government have hindered the full utilization of these strategic capacities. In response to this national need and with the aim of bridging the gap between knowledge generation, policymaking, and implementation, the Marine Science and Technology Steering Center (MSTSC) has been established at Persian Gulf University with the support of the Vice Presidency for Science, Technology, and Knowledge-Based Economy. Adopting a mission-oriented approach that extends beyond conventional research structures, the Center seeks to provide integrated and targeted guidance for the country’s sustainable development.
The Center will serve as an intermediary institution and a connecting bridge between knowledge, governance, and implementation. The implementation phases of this strategic initiative have been designed for a two-year period. Through an interdisciplinary approach, the Center is tasked with producing policy-relevant knowledge and fostering synergy among universities, industry, and government to address existing challenges in the maritime sector.
According to its defined mission, the Center’s specialized activities will be organized into ten major work packages, including: Maritime Economy (maritime transportation infrastructure, ports, and population settlement), Fisheries and Aquaculture, Marine Biotechnology and Living Resources, Marine Environment and Pollution, Exploration of Non-Living Resources (offshore oil and gas as well as marine mineral resources) and Marine Technologies, Marine Hazards and Risk Management, Coastal and Marine Tourism, Maritime History, Culture and Heritage, Marine Industries (shipbuilding and manufacturing technologies), and Multidimensional Assessment, Integration, and Development of Sea-Based Policy Packages.
