Entrepreneurship and Industrial Relationship Office

University of Maragheh

Introduction
The Entrepreneurship and Industrial Relationship Office (OEIRG) is a dedicated unit within the University of Maragheh committed to fostering research excellence and enterprise development. By forging strong partnerships with industry, academia, and government, the office seeks to produce cutting-edge research that clarifies, reinforces, and advances entrepreneurship and innovation. Acting as a vital bridge between the university and the broader economic and industrial ecosystem, the office ensures that academic knowledge is translated into tangible social and economic benefits.

Director
The office is led by Dr. Bagher Eftekhari Sis, a distinguished faculty member of the Chemistry Department at the Faculty of Basic Sciences, appointed to this position by the President of the University of Maragheh.

Dr. Eftekhari Sis holds a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Sharif University of Technology (2005–2008). He joined the Chemistry Department of the University of Maragheh in 2009 and currently holds the academic rank of Professor. His research interests include nanosensors and graphene. He has an h‑index of 5 and is recognized as one of Iran’s top 70 distinguished researchers.

Under his leadership, the office continues to expand its initiatives and strengthen its connections with diverse industrial sectors.

Core Objectives
The office pursues a comprehensive set of objectives designed to enhance students' practical skills, promote applied research, and facilitate meaningful collaboration between the university and industry. These objectives include:

- Student Internship Planning: Organizing and coordinating internship opportunities to provide students with hands-on experience in real industrial environments.
- Scientific Cooperation with Industry: Managing and facilitating scientific and research collaborations with the country's industrial sector.
- Encouraging Applied Research: Motivating faculty members and Ph.D. students to engage in more applied and problem-oriented research projects.
- Skill Enhancement Courses: Offering various courses and workshops to improve students' practical and professional competencies.
- Industry Communication for Internships: Establishing and maintaining communication with factories and companies to introduce students for internship placements.
- Facilitating Memoranda of Understanding: Identifying industrial companies and factories and introducing them to the university for the purpose of signing cooperation agreements.
- Commercialization of Research: Supporting the commercialization of research-applied outcomes developed by faculty members and students.
- Knowledge and Technology Transfer: Promoting the transfer of knowledge and technology from the university to other sectors of society.
- Participation in National Exhibitions: Actively participating in national exhibitions to showcase the university's research capabilities and innovative projects.

Key Achievements and Activities
The office has been actively involved in numerous initiatives to fulfill its mission:

- Collaboration with Tabriz Chamber of Commerce: The office has collaborated with the Tabriz Chamber of Commerce in meetings of the Entrepreneurship, Knowledge‑Based Economy, and Business Environment Improvement Commission.
- Startup Event "Rinotex": The office has played a key role in organizing the Rinotex startup event – a specialized exhibition focused on biotechnology, agriculture, and food industry technologies – fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among students and connecting them with the wider startup ecosystem.
- Technology Assistant Plan: The office is committed to the "Technology Assistant Plan," a program designed to build a bridge between the university and technology companies by inviting talented students from various academic levels to collaborate.
- Cooperation Memoranda: The office facilitates the signing of cooperation agreements with various organizations, including:
  - A memorandum of understanding between the University of Maragheh and the Industry, Mine and Trade Organization of Maragheh County.
  - A cooperation agreement between the University of Maragheh and the Academic Center for Education, Culture and Research (ACECR) of East Azerbaijan.
  - A memorandum of understanding between the University of Maragheh and the Technical and Vocational Training Organization, allowing students to complete their internships at the Maragheh Technical and Vocational Training Center and receive official certification.
- Recognition: In recognition of these efforts, Dr. Bagher Eftekhari Sis – with his outstanding academic record and commitment to industry collaboration – was appointed to lead this office.

Key Statistics
- University Students: Over 3,300 students
- Academic Staff: 130 faculty members
- Faculties: 4 faculties (Agriculture, Basic Sciences, Engineering, and Humanities)

Contact Information:
| Website | https://industry.maragheh.ac.ir/ |
| Email | rinotex2024@maragheh.ac.ir |
| Eitaa Channel | https://eitaa.com/rinotexmaragheh |
| Address | University of Maragheh, Main Campus |