REFORMS OF ARMENIA’S SCIENTIFIC SECTOR TO FACILITATE APPLICATION OF RESULTS IN ECONOMY
ARKA News Agency
Oct 31 2007
Armenia
YEREVAN, October 31. /ARKA/. The reforms of Armenia’s scientific
sector are supposed to facilitate the practical application of results
of scientific activities in the country’s economy, President of the
Armenian National Academy of Sciences (ANAS) Radik Martirosyan stated
in his report "Scientific reforms at ANAS".
According to him, the reforms of Armenia’s scientific sector got under
way as early as 2006 and were better regulated in the latter half of
2007, after the RA Government approved a schedule of measures under
the scientific reform programs.
"All our efforts are aimed to establish structures and implement
programs which would speed up the development of Armenia’s scientific
sector and more effective introduction of scientific solutions into
economy," he said.
Martirosyan pointed out the necessity for convincing Armenia’s
industrial sector and businessmen that the results of scientific
activities.
"This is possible through practical development of materials and
equipment ready for immediate employment in production," Martirosyan
said. He added that the development of Armenia’s scientific sector
must be one of the priorities.
The ANAS President said that a considerable increase in the number
of research institute and staff members dopes not allow the country
to carry out scientific activities on as large a scale as it was in
the Soviet time.
By January 1, 2007, 3,750 ANAS staff members had been registered
in Armenia, with 2,200 of them being research workers, against
7,500 staff members in 1991. In conclusion, Martirosyan pointed out
that scientific reforms in Armenia involve a wide range of issues,
including the personnel training problem, social problems, creation
of necessary conditions for scientific activities and restoration
of the material and technical base, involvement of young specialists
and democratization of the management system.
On August 30, the RA Government approved a 3-year program of scientific
reforms. The program envisages the drafting of bills on scientific
reforms, elaboration of principles and standards for scientific
centers, a state strategic scientific development program and other
measures.