SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY WAITS FOR REFORMS

Azg/arm
21 July 05

Scientists Complain about Hardship in Scientific Sphere

“Though there had been many drawbacks after the collapse of the Soviet
Union, we inherited great scientific potential and the important
role of the science was still emphasized among us. It seemed that in
a country that had just gained its independence the science would be
a sphere of primary importance, but, on the contrary, many scientists
left the country, scientific schools were destroyed and new generations
still do not shift the elders,” Anna Boyajian, Doctor of Biology, said.

The scientists who receive 20.000 AMD monthly and have to work with
dated equipments are greatly concerned not only about the current
situation in the science but also about the coming reforms in the
sphere. Recently, committees for reforms were created at RA Education
and Science Ministry, RA National Academy of Sciences and RA National
Assembly that should accept the suggestions made by the scientists.
But the scientists said that they aren’t informed about anything
concerning the activities of these committees, as well as the
principles according to which the suggestions should be made.

Being deeply concerned about the created situation and wishing to
participate in the adoption of relevant decisions, a group of Armenian
scientists created the Public Council of the Armenian Scientists on
July 8, 2005. The member-scientists of the council accumulated 1000
signatures of scientists from all the scientific institutions of our
country and send a letter to RA President, Chairman of RA National
Assembly and RA Prime Minister. The scientists demand to fully allocate
3% of RA state budget envisaged for the science by the law, to improve
the working conditions and raise the salaries of the scientists.

“The issue of the salaries isn’t only our concern. We should
demand to reconsider all the salaries paid in the republic. In this
issue the intelligentsia should be active and play a decisive role,”
academician Kostantin Gharagyozian said. The scientists also added that
they are more concerned about the approach of the authorities to the
science. “Let the science develop, don’t hinder its prosperity,”
Mr. Tadevosian said. The scientists called for the authorities to
contribute to the development of fundamental science.

They also touched upon the issue of sponsoring the science, hinting
at the contribution of Gyulbenkian Foundation, Ara Abrahamian and
others. They said that very often they aren’t even aware of the
sums the sponsors allocated for the science.

The members of the council were very seriously disposed to the issue.
They stated that their further activities depend on the approach of
higher instances to the issue.

By Gohar Gevorgian