Science facing challenges

By Mher Ohanian

Yerkir/arm
November 12, 2004

The Armenian economy is turning towards free market and is setting
vague development frames before science. In these terms not the
government but the market dictates the terms.

Heritage of the generation of science

It has been essential in the past decades to draw economic development
through science. On the other science needs economic
impulse. Naturally, it takes proper conditions to faster science
development.

This is a big issue for transitional countries including Armenia,
where the Soviet heritage is prevailing. The crisis is mainly
conditioned by lack of demand for its products. Armenia has
expe4rienced not only reduction of scientific staff, but also outflow
of brains abroad. And in many labs and institutions precious equipment
is being neglected for years.

Few university graduates take actual interest in pursuing
science. This is mainly for financial ill-prospects in this field.

On the other hand, many young scientists emigrate. But often they
cannot find apt options of activity and get to other work.

However, it would be unfair to ignore some positive developments. Many
institutes get sponsored by foreign organizations for certain projects
which provide certain progression to the field.