One of the Iranian specialists who returned to the country, referring to the launch of the Connect platform over the past three years and its positive measures in facilitating the return of Iranian specialists and entrepreneurs, said: “Many of us Iranian migrants faced the issue of military service. Fortunately, with the issuance of a guideline on the Connect platform that allows completing a technology project in place of military service, the problem of returning to Iran has been resolved.”

According to the INOTEX 2025 news desk, the panel “Return of Talents; The Lost Human Capital in the Path of Technology Development” was held with the presence of Seyed Miraboulehassan Vaezi (graduate of MIT and Stanford, and professor at Sharif University of Technology), Mohammad Shokoohi Yekta (Stanford graduate and AI specialist at Snapp), and Atefeh Alipour (researcher at the Biomedical Research Center in Japan and faculty member in the Nanobiotechnology department).

During this panel, Mohammad Shokoohi Yekta, a Stanford graduate, stated that his motivation for returning to Iran was love for his homeland, saying: “Abroad, material aspects and types of projects were very satisfying. The last project I worked on at Microsoft, which launched there, generated $75 million in revenue; but this did not bring me satisfaction or happiness, because I felt I should contribute to advancing my own country.”

He referred to the Connect platform, launched over the past three years, and its positive role in facilitating the return of specialists and entrepreneurs: “Many Iranian migrants, including myself, faced the issue of military service. Fortunately, with the issuance of a guideline on the Connect platform that allows completing a technology project instead of military service, the problem of returning to Iran was resolved.”

Shokoohi Yekta also highlighted multiple challenges such as lawlessness, lack of cooperation from some officials, neglect in utilizing the skills of returning specialists in major affairs, and failure to use their capabilities to improve the country’s situation. He emphasized: “Observing these challenges, my expectation from serving my homeland has decreased. While we must work to change the inefficient management system, this process is beyond the ability of any single individual.”

Continuing, he focused on his expertise in artificial intelligence, stating: “The biggest problem we face in this field is the migration of human resources, and the main reason for this is hopelessness.”

Addressing Iranian specialists living abroad, he added: “To those considering returning, I say: make your decision with open eyes. If you want to stay abroad, continue your work there; if you want to return, come back fully prepared.”

He concluded: “One of the personal challenges of migration is its nature. If we have migrated, we should not forget our connection to Iran. This was where we were given the opportunity to grow. To help the country, physical return is not necessary; specialists can maintain their impact through online lectures, financial support, and other non-physical methods.”