Representative of the Supreme Religious Authority Calls for Expanding and Nurturing Iraqi Talent in Local and International Competitions from School to Postgraduate Studies, While Preserving Identity and Belonging

The representative of the Supreme Religious Authority stated, "Our thanks and appreciation go to our brothers in the Department of Education at the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, as well as the Department of Human Resources Development, for their efforts in discovering, recognizing, and nurturing talent, and we hope these talents will be utilized in the right direction."

He explained that "the title of the 'Uli al-Albab' program is linked to a Quranic concept referring to people of intellect who employ their capabilities, talents, and aptitudes to achieve the right goals. It is important for students to question the purpose of human creation, their origin, their destiny, and the nature of the life they ought to live."

He added that "the title represents a cover that points to the meaning, but what matters is the content, essence, and purpose; knowledge and science should not be ends in themselves, but rather a means to achieve action and correctly utilize knowledge."

He pointed out that "talented individuals must realize that intelligence, abilities, and talents are blessings from Almighty Allah, and that true gratitude for these blessings lies in utilizing them toward goodness and benefit for society, which depends on the school and the entities that nurture such talents."

He noted that "it is essential to invest time and life, and to continuously nurture talents from the school stage through university and postgraduate studies, while directing students toward the specializations needed by society, particularly modern sciences."

He drew attention to "the need to change certain societal perceptions that generally drive high-achieving students toward specific fields. Medicine is a required specialization, but the scientific, intellectual, and technical advancement of society also requires paying attention to various modern sciences due to their significance in enhancing knowledge, progress, and independence."

He continued that "nurturing talent must be an ongoing process that is not limited to the competition stage, but extends to selecting the appropriate colleges and universities, supporting students during postgraduate stages, and providing job opportunities that align with their specializations, enabling them to apply their knowledge and skills in the correct positions."

He further stated that "transitioning from knowledge to impact requires a correct pattern of thinking, starting with information and knowledge, then analyzing, dismantling, and understanding its elements, reaching precision and depth, then arriving at correct conclusions based on arguments and evidence, leading to implementation and practical application."

He stressed "the importance of discovering talent that may remain undiscovered, identifying its type, determining how to utilize it scientifically in the right direction, and achieving results to benefit from them practically."

He called for "expanding participation in local and international competitions and showcasing Iraqi talent, while emphasizing the importance of preserving Iraqi identity and belonging, and making use of international participations to demonstrate students' capabilities and talents in various forums."