DIRECTOR OF BYURAKAN OBSERVATORY: STATE DOES NOT GIVE ENOUGH ATTENTION TO SCIENCE IN ARMENIA

Noyan Tapan
Aug 28 2007

YEREVAN, AUGUST 28, NOYAN TAPAN. The holding of the 15th European
and national astronomical forum in Yerevan bears evidence that the
Armenian astronomy is at a very high level today, the co-chairman
of the Armenian Astronomical Company Areg Mikaelian stated at the
August 28 press conference. According to him, about 300 astronomers
from 37 countries participated in the forum held on August 20-25. 8
conferences and 6 sittings took place in parallel with this forum. All
important problems of astrophysics were discussed at the forum "Our
Corner Cosmos".

Director of the Byurakan Observatory Hayk Harutyunian said that
Armenia, a country that made a significant contribution to astronomy,
is continuing to be a member of the European Astronomical Company
even though it has not paid its membership fees amounting to only 2.5
thousand USD annually for 15 years, whereas Azerbaijan and Georgia
were deprived of their membership right for this reason.

In the words of H. Harutyunian, in Armenia the state does not give
enough attention to culture and science. In his opinion, there are
state establishments and institutions whose problems should be solved
by the state. Whereas, according to H. Harutyunian, most receiving
devices of the Byurakan observatory have been purchased with the
assistance of their foreign partners. He noted that the Byurakan
observatory has the opportunity and potential for becoming a regional
scientific and educational center.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress