Panorama.am

20:13 02/11/2007

`These aren’t good times for science’

`These aren’t good times for our science,’ National Academy of Science
president Radik Martirosyan said today about the condition of science
in the country. `For years, our science and culture have been our
business card around the world. They were our pride,’ he reminded,
adding that in the past even those who didn’t know where Armenia was
identified us by the name of Hampartsumyan.

Science being in this condition is due to the major changes that have
occurred in Armenia, but Martirosyan is convinced that the condition
of science should be better. Here he sees both subjective and
objective reasons. The objective, according to him, is that science
flourished in Soviet times, but that Armenia doesn’t have the strength
and power the Soviet Union had.

`Our misfortunes began with the Soviet collapse,’ he said, adding,
`Very capable scientists have no place to show what they know. On one
hand, they become disillusioned, on the other, they leave the country.
This is our reality.’

To our question as to whether current financing corresponds with our
capabilities, Martirosyan replied that it could be more, saying better
conditions in science should be guaranteed.

In the coming year, financing for science will be increased by one
billion dram, raising it to a total of 6.8 billion dram. This amounts
to less than 1% of the national budget, standing at 0.8%.

Martirosyan said that Prime Minister Serge Sargsyan has promised to
add to the financing amount during the course of the year.

In any event, Martirosyan said that in Azerbaijan, science receives
four times more financing than in Armenia, and that Georgian science
also receives more, yet the condition of science there is worse than
in Armenia.

Source: Panorama.am

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress