ARMENIA: PM OMITS UNIVERSITIES FROM SCIENCE SPEECH

University World News

May 30 2010

In his recent speech at the National Academy of Sciences, Armenian
Prime Minister Tigran Sargsian outlined his and his government’s
vision for the development of science and the role of the academy.

Shockingly, he did not pronounce the word ‘university,’ even once,
in his speech, writes Aryana Petrova on the Armenia Higher Education
and Sciences blog.

Formulated as ‘the four theses’, Sargsian’s speech outlined various
stakeholders in the innovation process, even the still non-existent
Armenian venture capitalists. Different ‘triangles’ and ‘squares’ (the
academy, businesses, venture capitalists, the government etc.) were
presented to the audience, mostly above 70-years old academicians.

Universities were, however, completely left out.

By ignoring the role that universities play, or should play,
in the development of science and in the innovation process, and
by separating scientific research from higher education, the prime
minister discredited his and his government’s vision. His speech also
contradicted the Strategy for the Development of Science that the
State Committee on Science published almost a year ago. One of its
eight objectives was “to create a coherent infrastructure combining
education, science, technology and innovation” and identified “the
foundation of real research universities” as a necessary measure.

From: A. Papazian