PRESS RELEASE
December 13, 2004
Embassy of the Republic of Armenia
2225 R Street, NW, Washington, DC, 20008
Tel: 202-319-1976, x. 348; Fax: 202-319-2982
Email: armecon@speakeasy.net; Web:
National Academies Press Publishes an Assessment of S&T Sector in Armenia
The National Academies Press in Washington, DC has just published a report
assessing Armenia’s scientific potential, entitled “Science and Technology
in Armenia: Toward A Knowledge-Based Economy.” The report was prepared by
the ad-hoc Committee on Science and Technology in Armenia, functioning under
the auspices of National Academies’ National Research Council, following the
Committee’s fact-finding mission to Armenia in February 2004. The Committee
members have visited and met with representatives of Armenian government
agencies, National Academy of Sciences and scientific research institutions,
major Armenian universities, private Science and Technology (S&T) companies,
and NGO’s.
The fact-finding mission and the assessment of Armenia’s S&T potential was
commissioned by the U.S. State Department and financed by U.S. Agency for
International Development to gauge the existing capacity of research
institutions and higher education capabilities and trends, and to identify
sectors to be support by public expenditure and investors, as well as by
development assistance from foreign donors, including U.S. Government. The
report will be presented to U.S.-Armenia Task Force on Economic Issues.
The main findings of the report by the National Research Council’s Committee
on S&T in Armenia note the long tradition of excellence in science,
technology and education and the positive legacy of a developed network of
research and higher education institutions. At the same time, the economic
transition and subsequent reduction of government funding have considerably
eroded the existing of S&T capabilities, although many Armenian institutions
persevered and achieved significant results, such as maintaining the
Byurakan Observatory’s international status as center for optical astronomy;
development of a vibrant information technology sector; and some
modernization of the agricultural sector leading to increased exports. The
report makes a number of specific and valuable recommendations to address
the problems and to build upon the many success stories in Armenia’s S&T
sector, including creation of centers of excellence, continued modernization
of institutions of higher learning, and strengthening the intellectual
property rights system.
As Armenia’s Ambassador to the U.S., Dr. Arman Kirakossian noted, “this
report should be of particular interest to the Armenian-American community,
especially private investors seeking to make profit in promising science and
technology sectors and researchers looking for international collaboration
in Armenia.” Dr. Kirakossian perspectives on future of science in Armenia,
made during remarks at a meeting with NRC Committee members, are included in
an appendix of the report.
“Science and Technology in Armenia: Toward A Knowledge-Based Economy,” can
be obtained from the National Academies Press. Please visit
for information on the book.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress