Reflecting on USERN Congresses: From Iran to Armenia

The USERN Congress and Prize Awarding Festival has become an eagerly anticipated annual event that showcases the collaboration between science and art, attracting distinguished scientists, researchers, and talented young artists from around the world. Each year, the congress is held in a different country, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and celebrating achievements in various fields.

Let's take a journey through the previous congresses and highlight their significance. The inaugural USERN Congress took place in Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran in 2016, setting the stage for future successful gatherings. The presence of Professor John Gurdon, a Nobel Prize Laureate in Medicine, added prestige to the event and established a tradition of inviting distinguished speakers.

In 2017, the second congress took place simultaneously at four universities including Kharkiv National Medical University, Karazin Kharkiv National University, Kharkiv Polytechnic University and National University of Pharmacy in Ukraine, creating a vibrant atmosphere with over 700 participants. It showcased the commitment of the USERN community to expand its reach and provide a platform for researchers from diverse backgrounds.

Italy hosted the third Congress in 2018, at European School of Genetic Medicine and Universita Mediterranea of Reggio Calabria on Nov 10^th where a special focus was given to immunodeficiency training. This emphasized the importance of addressing critical medical challenges and fostering collaborations among experts in the field.

Hungary's historic Vigadó Palace became the venue for the fourth congress in November 8^th-10^th, 2019. The 4^th USERN Congress and Prize Awarding Festival was hosted by Avicenna International Academy and Semmelweis University in Budapest, Hungary. More than 50 renowned scientists delivered inspirational speeches, showcasing the significance of this international gathering in fostering scientific advancement and collaboration.

In 2020, during the pandemic that stopped the world from moving the fifth congress returned to Iran, and was held in a hybrid structure comprising virtual and in-person events, attracting around 140 leading scientists from 35 nations. The event was graced by the presence of Nobel Prize winners Professor Jean-Marie Lehn in Chemistry and Professor Leland Harrison Hartwell in Medicine. It was a landmark congress as it also hosted the first USERN Science and Art Festival, celebrating the synergy between science and art.

The 6^th USERN Congress and Prize Awarding Festival was hosted by Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey during November 6^th-13^th, 2021. Focusing on the scientific theme "the Elephant in the Dark Room", it was a grand gathering of scientific minds from across the world. This vibrant and cosmopolitan city served as a perfect backdrop for the exchange of ideas and collaboration. Renowned scientists, researchers, and scholars presented their groundbreaking work, stimulating intellectual discussions and promoting interdisciplinary research.

The 7^th International USERN Congress and Prize Awarding Festival was held at Sultan Qaboos University in Muscat, Oman during November 8th-10^th, 2022. With the main theme of the congress "Looking at Universe, Thinking in Science", The beautiful city of Muscat, continued the tradition of excellence established by previous congresses. With its rich cultural heritage and dedication to scientific advancement, Oman provided a captivating setting for this gathering of scientific minds.

Building upon the success of the previous congresses, the upcoming 2023 congress will be hosted by Armenia at RAU University in the beautiful and historic city of Yerevan from November 8^th to 10^th. Senior and Junior talks, Keynote Lectures, Workshops and Panels, meet the experts, poster sessions and IFPPP exhibition are all among the many interactive programs of the congress. The anticipation is high as the event promises to bring together scientists, researchers, and artists from diverse disciplines.

Early registration is encouraged, and abstract submissions are welcome until September 1st. Stay tuned for updates and further information about the USERN Congress on the official website, userncongress.com, and through the official email address, [email protected].

Join the conversation and follow the hashtags #USERN2023, #USERN, and #Congress on social media platforms. Reflecting on the journey from Iran to Armenia, the USERN Congress has become a symbol of collaboration, innovation, and excellence in the scientific community. It continues to foster interdisciplinary connections and inspire the next generation of researchers and artists to make a significant impact on the world.

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