Sheikh Abdul-Mahdi Al-Karbalaey, representative of the Supreme Religious Authority, has called for continued efforts to identify and nurture talented students and guide them toward academic fields that meet society’s needs.

Speaking at a ceremony honoring teachers and high-achieving students participating in the “Uli al-Albab” (People of Intellect) program, organized by the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine, Sheikh Al-Karbalaey explained that the program’s title reflects a Quranic concept referring to those who use their abilities and talents to pursue worthy goals.

He emphasized that knowledge should not be an end in itself, but a means to action and meaningful contribution. He said intelligence, abilities, and talents are blessings from God Almighty, and that gratitude for these blessings requires directing them toward the benefit of society.

He stressed the importance of nurturing talent continuously—from school through university and postgraduate studies—and guiding students toward specializations that society needs, particularly in modern scientific and technical fields. While medicine remains a popular choice, he noted that scientific and technological progress requires expertise across a much broader range of disciplines.

He also called for changing societal perceptions that tend to steer high-achieving students toward a limited number of fields. Talent development, he said, should extend beyond competitions to include university selection, postgraduate support, and employment opportunities aligned with students’ specializations.

Sheikh Al-Karbalaey further stressed that turning knowledge into impact requires critical analysis, precision, evidence-based reasoning, and practical application. He also called for identifying untapped talent, developing it scientifically, and expanding participation in local and international competitions to showcase Iraqi students’ abilities while preserving their national identity.

He expressed appreciation to the Education Department and Human Resources Development Department at the Imam Hussain Holy Shrine for their efforts to discover and nurture talent, expressing hope that these abilities would continue to be developed and directed toward meaningful contributions to society.