TEHRAN -- Regretting the scientific backwardness of the country, the Leader of Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyed Ali Khamenei here yesterday called for the enhancement of the country's research budget.

Speaking to a group of university lecturers and managers who called on him, he added that the existing scientific gap can be filled through the endeavors of talented Iranians, teachers, and scholars.

The society expects the scientific circles to launch a software movement and produce knowledge.

The government sectors must assist the launching of the movement, he added.

Scientific progress is not possible without research, he said adding, all government organizations, particularly the Parliament, must pay attention to this issue.

Criticizing the organization of useless extravaganza seminars and allocation of budget to insignificant centers, the Leader said, the budget of such centers must be allocated for research.

The Leader recommended the university lecturers to upgrade the teaching levels and adjust them with the latest achievements. Debates between the students and teachers are very important, he said adding, relations between students and teachers must go beyond the formal teaching level.

The chancellors and teaching staff of the Sharif, Allameh Tabatabaei, Tarbiat Modarres, Tehran, Payam Nour, Farabi, Aerospace, Art, Tarbiat Mo'allem, Science and Technology, Amir Kabir, Elmi-Karbordi, and Al-Zahra universities attended the meeting. Also the chancellors and teaching staff of a number of medical universities attended the meeting.

The university scholars expressed their viewpoints about the problems they face in the universities.